A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Dacres family of England.
Reg. 9637 · English, D–F
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
chevronProtection, and faithful service completed
roundelA coin, and one who has been to the crusades
Colours
Gold (Or)Means: Generosity
Black (Sable)Means: Constancy
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, a chev. sa. betw. three torteaux, each charged with an escallop ar”
HertfordCheshunt · Hertford, c. 1620
Where the Dacres Arms Were Recorded
Hertford
Map of England showing where the Dacres arms are recorded
The Dacres arms were recorded in Hertford, c. 1620.
Hertfordshire lay just north of London and filled with families who had made money in the City. Buying an estate within a day's ride was the usual next step, and an estate brought arms with it.
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 Dacres 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 Hertford.
Origin & History of the Dacres Family in England
The Dacres name has deep roots in English history, often associated with families who held significant land and influence during the medieval and early modern periods. By the year 1620, records confirm that members of the family were established in the town of Hertford, where they participated in the local social and economic life of the region. The name itself is thought to be locative, likely originating from a place name that evolved into a surname as families moved and settled in new areas. During the seventeenth century, families like the Dacres were often involved in the administration of their local parishes or the management of estates. This period was a time of transition in England, and the presence of the family in Hertford suggests they were part of the growing class of citizens who helped shape the development of English towns. Their history reflects the broader movement of families across the English landscape as they sought new opportunities and established their place within their communities.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
de Acre
Derived from the French place name Acre in Normandy.
This name
DacresA locational surname indicating an individual who originated from the town of Acre.
also spelled
Daker
Dackers
Related arms
Duhurstrecorded with Dacres, same area
Landonrecorded with Dacres, same area
Mortimerrecorded with Dacres, same area
Muntrecorded with Dacres, same area
Documented Sources
Sir Bernard Burke, The General Armory of England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales, London: Harrison & Sons, 1884
Cussans, John Edwin. History of Hertfordshire. 1870
Hertfordshire Archives and Local Studies. Hertford Borough Records, Series 2/1
Page, William. A History of the County of Hertford. 1908
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
chevronProtection, and faithful service completed
roundelA coin, and one who has been to the crusades
chevronProtection, and faithful service completed
roundelA coin, and one who has been to the crusades
