A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Damme family of England.
Reg. 8159 · English, D–F
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
fishA true and generous mind, and Christian faith
Colours
Black (Sable)Means: Constancy
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)
“Sa. three fishes naiant in pale ar”
Englandc. 1620
Where the Damme Arms Were Recorded
York
Map of England showing where the Damme arms are recorded
The Damme 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 England when the Damme 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 Damme Family in England
The surname Damme is a topographic name that originated in regions where people lived near a dam or a water barrier. In the Dutch and Low German languages, the word refers to an embankment or a dike constructed to control water flow. By the early 17th century, members of the Damme family had established a presence in the historic city of York, England. Their arrival in this northern hub suggests they were likely part of the active trade networks connecting England with the Low Countries during the late Renaissance period. These early settlers were often merchants or skilled craftsmen who moved across the North Sea to seek new opportunities in English urban centers. By 1620, the family was well-integrated into the local community, contributing to the growing economic and social landscape of York.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
damm
A Middle English or Middle Dutch term for a dam or embankment.
This name
DammeA topographic name for someone who lived near a dam or a barrier.
also spelled
Dam
Related arms
Damvariant spelling
Documented Sources
Sir Bernard Burke, The General Armory of England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales, London: Harrison & Sons, 1884
Bardsley, Charles Wareing, A Dictionary of English and Welsh Surnames, 1901
Reaney, P.H. and Wilson, R.M., A Dictionary of English Surnames, 1991
Borthwick Institute for Archives, York Diocesan Probate Records, 1620
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fishA true and generous mind, and Christian faith
fishA true and generous mind, and Christian faith
