A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Dampier family of England.
Reg. 1363 · English, D–F
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
labelThe eldest son, during his father's life
lionCourage, strength and royalty
Colours
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)
“Or, a lion ramp. sa. in chief a label of three points gu”
Englandc. 1620
Where the Dampier Arms Were Recorded
York
Map of England showing where the Dampier arms are recorded
The Dampier 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 Dampier 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 Dampier Family in England
The surname Dampier is believed to have originated as a locational name, likely derived from the French town of Dampierre. Families bearing this name began to establish themselves in England during the medieval period, often as part of the movement of people across the English Channel. By the early seventeenth century, the family had firmly planted roots in the historic city of York. Records confirm that members of the Dampier family were living and working in York by 1620, placing them in a bustling urban center known for its trade and religious significance. As these early ancestors navigated life in Northern England, the name evolved alongside the changing social landscape of the region. Their presence in York suggests that the family was well-integrated into the local community during a time of great transition in British history.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
d'Ampier
Derived from the French place name Dampierre meaning lord's stone church.
This name
DampierA locational surname referring to individuals who originated from the village of Dampierre in France.
also spelled
Damper
Dampire
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., A Dictionary of British Surnames, 1958
Borthwick Institute for Archives, York Diocesan Probate Records, 1620
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
labelThe eldest son, during his father's life
lionCourage, strength and royalty
labelThe eldest son, during his father's life
lionCourage, strength and royalty
