A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Cuffee family lines. Documented in 3 countries.
Reg. 7419 · Britain, A–C
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
bendDefence, and the scarf of a commander
fleur de lisPurity, light, and the sixth son
roundelA coin, and one who has been to the crusades
Colours
Silver (Argent)Means: Peace and sincerity
Black (Sable)Means: Constancy
Gold (Or)Means: Generosity
Historical info
Source
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Blazon (the actual original written record)
“D'arg. à la bande vivrée de sa., ch. de trois fleurs-de-lis du champ, posées dans le sens de la bande; celle-ci côtoyée de deux cotices d'azur, ch. chacune de trois bes. d'or. C.: un avant-bras en pal, paré d'or à deux cotices ondées d'azur, rebr. d'herm., la main de carn. tenant une hache d'armes d'or, emm. d'azur. S.: deux léopards reg. au nat., coll. chacun d'une fasce vivrée de sa., ch. de trois fleurs-de-lis d'arg.; chaque collier attaché à une chaîne de sa. D.: VIRTUS REPULSE NESCIA SORDIDE.”
Britainc. 1733
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
Map of Britain showing where the Cuffee arms are recorded
The Cuffee arms were recorded in Britain, c. 1733.
Arms such as these were typically recorded in Kent.
Kent sits between London and the short crossing to Europe, and the trade passing through made it wealthy. Merchant families bought land with that money, and it was landowners who took coats of arms.
This is where the arms were entered in the register. Families often moved to other parts of the country, so the same name can turn up in more than one region.
The body that granted and recorded arms in Britain in this period.
George II of Great Britain
Sovereign of the period
George II of Great Britain
1727–1760
Reigning in Britain when the Cuffee arms are first recorded.
How Arms Worked in Britain
English heraldry allowed arms to be shared by all legitimate descendants of the original owner. These symbols were treated as personal property that moved through the generations to all children. While the eldest son kept the original design, other family members could use the same shield without needing to change it or register their own unique versions.
Granting authority
The College of Arms in London has regulated the use of coats of arms throughout England and Wales since 1484.
How they got arms
Families typically obtained their coats of arms through a formal grant from the Crown or by proving their ancient right to them.
Where arms were recorded
All official coats of arms are recorded in the registers kept at the College of Arms, which date back to the fifteenth century.
The family's standing
Recorded among the armigerous families of Britain.
Origin & History of the Cuffee Family in Britain
The family name Cuffee has roots that trace back to the English county of Kent, where records confirm members of the family were living as early as 1733. During the eighteenth century, Kent was a bustling region known for its agricultural output and its proximity to the busy ports of the English Channel. Families like the Cuffees often lived in small rural parishes where they worked in trades or farming. The name itself likely evolved from older linguistic roots, possibly linked to regional nicknames or local occupational descriptions common in southern England at the time. By settling in Kent, these early family members became part of a long tradition of English village life, contributing to the local economy and community structure for generations. Their presence in official parish registers from this period provides a clear starting point for understanding how the family established its place in British history.
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
bendDefence, and the scarf of a commander
roundelA coin, and one who has been to the crusades
fleur de lisPurity, light, and the sixth son
Colours
Silver (Argent)Means: Peace and sincerity
Black (Sable)Means: Constancy
Blue (Azure)Means: Loyalty and truth
Gold (Or)Means: Generosity
Historical info
Source
Sir Bernard Burke, The General Armory of England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales, London: Harrison & Sons, 1884
Blazon (the actual original written record)
“Ar. on a bend dancettée sa. cotised az. bezantée three fleurs-de-lis of the field”
SomersetIlchester · Somerset, c. 1620
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
Map of England showing where the Cuffee arms are recorded
The Cuffee arms were recorded in Somerset, c. 1620.
Somerset was rich farming country with a thick scattering of manor houses. Its gentry were numerous and long-settled, and a settled landed family almost always ended up with arms.
This is where the arms were entered in the register. Families often moved to other parts of the country, so the same name can turn up in more than one region.
The body that granted and recorded arms in England in this period.
James VI and I
Sovereign of the period
James VI and I
1603–1625
Reigning in Britain when the Cuffee arms are first recorded.
How Arms Worked in England
English heraldry allowed arms to be shared by all legitimate descendants of the original owner. These symbols were treated as personal property that moved through the generations to all children. While the eldest son kept the original design, other family members could use the same shield without needing to change it or register their own unique versions.
Granting authority
The College of Arms in London has regulated the use of coats of arms throughout England and Wales since 1484.
How they got arms
Families typically obtained their coats of arms through a formal grant from the Crown or by proving their ancient right to them.
Where arms were recorded
All official coats of arms are recorded in the registers kept at the College of Arms, which date back to the fifteenth century.
The family's standing
Recorded among the armigerous families of Somerset.
Origin & History of the Cuffee Family in England
The family name Cuffee finds its early roots in the rural landscapes of Somerset, England, where records confirm the presence of the family as early as 1620. During this period, the name was often associated with local agricultural communities and parish life in the West Country. The name itself is thought to be a variation of older occupational or descriptive surnames common to the region, reflecting the way families were identified by their neighbors in small village settings. As the seventeenth century progressed, members of the family became part of the social and economic shifts that defined life in southwestern England. Their history is tied to the local parish registers and land records of Somerset, which provide a glimpse into the daily lives of families living through a time of significant change in the English countryside.
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
bendDefence, and the scarf of a commander
fleur de lisPurity, light, and the sixth son
Colours
Silver (Argent)Means: Peace and sincerity
Black (Sable)Means: Constancy
Blue (Azure)Means: Loyalty and truth
Historical info
Source
Sir Bernard Burke, The General Armory of England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales, London: Harrison & Sons, 1884
Blazon (the actual original written record)
“Ar. on a bend dancettée sa. three fleurs-de-lis of the field betw. two cotises az. each charged with three bezants”
KilkennyLeyrath · Kilkenny, c. 1645
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
Map of Ireland showing where the Cuffee arms are recorded
The Cuffee arms were recorded in Kilkenny, c. 1645.
Kilkenny was rich farming country in south-eastern Ireland, held by Norman families who settled early and stayed. Long holding of good land is exactly what puts a name into the heraldic records.
This is where the arms were entered in the register. Families often moved to other parts of the country, so the same name can turn up in more than one region.
The body that granted and recorded arms in Ireland in this period.
Charles I of England
Sovereign of the period
Charles I of England
1625–1649
Reigning in Britain when the Cuffee arms are first recorded.
How Arms Worked in Ireland
The Ulster King of Arms granted coats of arms to individuals who proved their social standing and good character. These symbols were typically inherited by all legitimate descendants of the original holder. If a family branch wanted a unique look, they could apply for a specific change to their design through the office to ensure their identity remained distinct.
Granting authority
The Ulster King of Arms acted as the official body that regulated and issued all coats of arms throughout Ireland.
How they got arms
Families obtained their arms through formal grants issued by the office after proving their eligibility and paying the required fees.
Where arms were recorded
All official grants were recorded in the registers held by the Ulster King of Arms starting from the year 1552.
The family's standing
Recorded among the armigerous families of Kilkenny.
Origin & History of the Cuffee Family in Ireland
The history of the Cuffee family in Ireland is deeply rooted in the political and social shifts of the seventeenth century. By 1645, records confirm that members of the family were well-established in County Kilkenny, a region that served as a major center for the Irish Catholic Confederation during the Irish Confederate Wars. During this turbulent period, the family was part of a landed class that navigated the complex transition of power between local Irish interests and the encroaching influence of the English administration. As the century progressed, the family became integrated into the local governance of the area, often appearing in civil and legal documents related to land ownership and regional administration. Their presence in Kilkenny suggests they were active participants in the economic life of the city, which was then a vital hub for trade and politics in the southeast of Ireland. This early period established the family as a recognized part of the local social structure, setting the stage for their continued influence in the region for generations to come.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Cuffa
An Old English personal name derived from the word for a glove.
This name
CuffeeA patronymic surname indicating descent from a person originally nicknamed for wearing gloves.
also spelled
Kuffe
Cuf
Kuf
Cuff
Cuffey
Documented Sources
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Kent Archives, Parish Register of St Mary the Virgin, Dover, 1733
Reaney, P.H., A Dictionary of British Surnames, 1958
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
bendDefence, and the scarf of a commander
fleur de lisPurity, light, and the sixth son
roundelA coin, and one who has been to the crusades
bendDefence, and the scarf of a commander
fleur de lisPurity, light, and the sixth son
roundelA coin, and one who has been to the crusades
