A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Dapifer family of England.
Reg. 4934 · English, D–F
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
cross symbolChristian faith and service
bordureA difference between branches of one family
Colours
Red (Gules)Means: Military strength
Silver (Argent)Means: Peace and sincerity
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)
“Gu. a cross, and in the first quarter an escarbuncle or, a border of the last”
Englandc. 1620
Where the Dapifer Arms Were Recorded
York
Map of England showing where the Dapifer arms are recorded
The Dapifer 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 Dapifer 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 Dapifer Family in England
The name Dapifer originates from a Latin term that historically identified a high-ranking official, specifically a steward or a person responsible for serving food at a royal table. In medieval times, this title was often used to describe a person of significant administrative importance within a noble household. By the year 1620, records confirm that members of the family were established in the city of York. During this period, York was a major center for commerce and government in Northern England, suggesting that the family likely played an active role in the local urban economy or civic life. As the name transitioned from a professional title into a hereditary surname, it remained a unique marker of the family's historical connection to positions of service and management.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
dapifer
Latin term for one who brings food to the table.
This name
DapiferAn occupational surname for a high-ranking household official or steward.
also spelled
Dapipher
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
The National Archives, York City Archives: House Books, 1620
Reaney, P.H., A Dictionary of British Surnames, 1958
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
cross symbolChristian faith and service
bordureA difference between branches of one family
cross symbolChristian faith and service
bordureA difference between branches of one family
