A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Cumming family lines. Documented in 3 countries.
Reg. 2414 · Britain, A–C
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
wheatsheafPlenty, and the harvest of one's own labour
Colours
Blue (Azure)Means: Loyalty and truth
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'azur à trois gerbes d'or; à la bord. du même. C.: une gerbe d'or. S.: deux autruches, au nat. D.: COURAGE [V. Gordon-Cumming.]”
Britainc. 1672
Where the Cumming Arms Were Recorded
Kent
Map of Britain showing where the Cumming arms are recorded
The Cumming arms were recorded in Britain, c. 1672.
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.
Charles II of England
Sovereign of the period
Charles II of England
1660–1685
Reigning in Britain when the Cumming 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 Cumming Family in Britain
The history of the Cumming name in Britain is deeply rooted in the social shifts of the seventeenth century. While the name has ancient origins, the specific branch documented in Kent by 1672 reflects the movement of families during a period of significant regional growth and record-keeping improvements. During this era, many families began to settle in the fertile lands of southeastern England to participate in the expanding agricultural and trade networks of the time. The presence of the family in Kent suggests they were part of the local community structure, likely involved in the parish life and economic activities that defined village existence in the late 1600s. By examining these early records, we gain insight into how families established their roots and contributed to the local history of the English countryside.
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
fleur de lisPurity, light, and the sixth son
wheatsheafPlenty, and the harvest of one's own labour
Colours
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)
“Az. a fleur-de-lis betw. three garbs or”
AberdeenBrunthill · Aberdeen, c. 1672
Where the Cumming Arms Were Recorded
Aberdeen
Map of Scotland showing where the Cumming arms are recorded
The Cumming arms were recorded in Aberdeen, c. 1672.
Aberdeen was a granite trading town on the north-east coast with farming country behind it. Merchants who prospered bought estates inland, and buying an estate was what brought a family its 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 Scotland in this period.
Charles II of England
Sovereign of the period
Charles II of England
1660–1685
Reigning in Britain when the Cumming arms are first recorded.
How Arms Worked in Scotland
Scottish heraldry is unique because it treats a coat of arms as a piece of personal property protected by law. Only one person can own a specific design at any given time. When a family grows, the head keeps the original shield while other relatives must apply for their own distinct version with slight changes to prove their specific identity.
Granting authority
The Court of the Lord Lyon acts as the official body that regulates and controls all heraldic matters throughout Scotland.
How they got arms
Individuals obtain a legal right to their arms through a formal petition process that confirms their identity and family connection.
Where arms were recorded
All valid coats of arms are officially entered into the Public Register of All Arms and Bearings starting from 1672.
The family's standing
Recorded among the armigerous families of Aberdeen.
Origin & History of the Cumming Family in Scotland
The history of the Cumming family in Scotland is deeply rooted in the northern regions, particularly around the city of Aberdeen. By the late seventeenth century, records confirm that members of the family were well-established residents in this area. The name itself is thought to have originated from a place name in France, brought to Scotland during the medieval period as families migrated and settled into new territories. Over several centuries, the Cummings became a notable presence in Scottish society, often involved in local governance and trade. Their long-standing connection to Aberdeen suggests that they were part of the steady growth of the city during the seventeenth century. As time passed, the family name became synonymous with the history of the region, reflecting the broader patterns of movement and settlement that shaped the Scottish population.
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
saltireResolution, and St Andrew's cross
chiefAuthority, wisdom and dominion
cantonA mark of honour granted by the sovereign
chevronProtection, and faithful service completed
cross symbolChristian faith and service
mulletThe third son, and a divine quality from above
portcullisProtection of the household, and the guarded gate
Colours
Red (Gules)Means: Military strength
Black (Sable)Means: Constancy
Gold (Or)Means: Generosity
Silver (Argent)Means: Peace and sincerity
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)
“Quarterly, 1st, BRUCE, or, a saltire gu. on a chief of the last, in sinister canton a mullet of the first charged with a crescent of the second, 2nd, CUMMING, az. three garbs or; 3rd, THURLOW, ar. on a chev. cottised sa. three portcullises with chains and rings of the first; 4th, HOVELL, or, a cross sa”
Englandc. 1620
Where the Cumming Arms Were Recorded
York
Map of England showing where the Cumming arms are recorded
The Cumming arms were recorded in England, c. 1620.
Arms such as these were typically recorded in York.
Yorkshire is the largest of the English counties, and it held more gentry families than any other. Land there was split among a great many households rather than a few, so a great many of them carried 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 Cumming 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 England.
Origin & History of the Cumming Family in England
The family name Cumming has deep roots that connect to the movement of people across the British Isles. While the name is often associated with northern regions, records confirm that family members were firmly established in the city of York by the year 1620. During this period, York served as a major center for trade and administration in Northern England, making it a common destination for families seeking new opportunities. Families with this surname were often involved in local commerce or skilled trades, which allowed them to integrate into the growing urban population of the seventeenth century. As these individuals settled in the city, they contributed to the local community and left behind documentation in parish registers and tax records. This presence in York highlights how the family name became part of the social fabric of England long before the modern era.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Comyn
Derived from the Old French personal name Comin or Comine.
This name
CummingA Scottish habitational surname originating from the town of Comines in France.
also spelled
Cummin
Kuming
Cummings
Cummyn
Related arms
Brucesame arms
Comynvariant spelling
Currorrecorded with Cumming, same area
Elphinstonerecorded with Cumming, same area
Documented Sources
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Black, George F., The Surnames of Scotland: Their Origin, Meaning, and History, 1946
Reaney, P.H. and Wilson, R.M., A Dictionary of English Surnames, 1991
The National Archives, Parish registers of Kent, 1672
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