A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Curling family of England.
Reg. 1909 · English, A–C
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
pileWell-doing, and a mark of distinction
fleur de lisPurity, light, and the sixth son
Colours
Gold (Or)Means: Generosity
Red (Gules)Means: Military strength
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)
“Or, on a pile gu. a leopard's head jessant-de-lis of the field”
KentKent, c. 1620
Where the Curling Arms Were Recorded
Kent
Map of England showing where the Curling arms are recorded
The Curling arms were recorded in Kent, c. 1620.
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 England in this period.
James VI and I
Sovereign of the period
James VI and I
1603–1625
Reigning in England when the Curling 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 Kent.
Origin & History of the Curling Family in England
The Curling family name has deep roots in the county of Kent, England, where members were firmly established by the early seventeenth century. Historical records confirm their presence in the region by 1620, particularly within the coastal areas and the town of Sandwich. The name is believed to be locational in origin, likely derived from a specific place or a topographical feature familiar to those living in the rural landscape of southeastern England. During this period, the family was closely tied to the maritime and agricultural life of the Kentish coast. Many early members worked as mariners or landowners, contributing to the local economy and the development of the Cinque Ports. As the family grew, they became a recognizable part of the local community, leaving behind a legacy that persisted through generations of life in the English countryside.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Curlew
A long-billed wading bird known for its distinctive mournful cry.
This name
CurlingA topographic or habitational name for someone living near a marshy area frequented by curlews.
also spelled
Curlyn
Documented Sources
Sir Bernard Burke, The General Armory of England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales, London: Harrison & Sons, 1884
Boys, William, Collections for an History of Sandwich in Kent, 1792
Kent Archives, Archdeaconry Court of Canterbury Wills, PRC 32
Plomer, Henry R., Abstracts of Wills in the Prerogative Court of Canterbury at Somerset House, London, England, 1918
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
pileWell-doing, and a mark of distinction
fleur de lisPurity, light, and the sixth son
pileWell-doing, and a mark of distinction
fleur de lisPurity, light, and the sixth son
