A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Custance family of England.
Reg. 0944 · English, A–C
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
eagleNobility, strength and a keen mind
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, an eagle displ. gu. charged on the breast with a star of six points of the first, quartering HAMBLETON”
NorfolkWeston House · Norfolk, c. 1549
Where the Custance Arms Were Recorded
Norfolk
Map of England showing where the Custance arms are recorded
The Custance arms were recorded in Norfolk, c. 1549.
Norfolk grew rich on wool and grain, and its wealth was spread among many middling families rather than a few great ones. Households of that kind bought land and took arms, and the county holds a large share of English names.
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.
Edward VI of England
Sovereign of the period
Edward VI of England
1547–1553
Reigning in England when the Custance 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 Norfolk.
Origin & History of the Custance Family in England
The surname Custance has deep roots in the English county of Norfolk, where the family was well-established by the middle of the sixteenth century. The name itself is thought to have originated as a variant of the medieval personal name Constance, which was derived from the Latin word constantia, meaning steadfastness or loyalty. During the year 1549, the family was present in Norfolk during a period of significant social unrest known as Kett’s Rebellion. While many families of that era were tied to specific trades or small landholdings, the Custance name appears in local parish records that document the daily lives of these early residents. Over time, the family became deeply integrated into the local community, eventually transitioning from small-scale agricultural life to becoming prominent landowners and figures in regional administration. This steady presence in the Norfolk landscape allowed the family to maintain a consistent identity across several centuries of English history.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Constantia
Latin term meaning steadfastness, perseverance, or faithfulness.
This name
CustanceDerived from a medieval given name representing a person who is constant or resolute in character.
also spelled
Custans
Custence
Documented Sources
Sir Bernard Burke, The General Armory of England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales, London: Harrison & Sons, 1884
Reaney, P.H., A Dictionary of English Surnames, 1991
Tittler, Robert, The Reformation and the Towns in England: Politics and the Political Culture, c. 1540–1640, 1998
Norfolk Record Office, Parish Register Transcripts for Norfolk, 1549
The National Archives, State Papers Domestic, Edward VI, 1549
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
eagleNobility, strength and a keen mind
eagleNobility, strength and a keen mind
