A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the De Wolfe family of England.
Reg. 7526 · English, D–F
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
shipEnterprise, and a great voyage undertaken
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, a lighter boat in fesse gu”
Englandc. 1620
Where the De Wolfe Arms Were Recorded
York
Map of England showing where the De Wolfe arms are recorded
The De Wolfe 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 De Wolfe 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 De Wolfe Family in England
The family name De Wolfe originates from the medieval practice of adopting descriptive surnames based on personal traits or nicknames. In Old English and Norman French, the name was often used to identify individuals who possessed the strength, cunning, or ferocity associated with a wolf. By the time members of the family were documented in York in 1620, the name had transitioned from a simple nickname into a formal hereditary surname passed down through generations. During this period, families in northern England were often deeply connected to the local trade and agricultural life of the region. The presence of the De Wolfe name in York suggests that these early ancestors were likely established members of the community who participated in the city’s long history as a center for commerce and governance. Over time, the spelling evolved to reflect the linguistic shifts of the English language, yet it maintained its connection to the original meaning that defined the family identity centuries ago.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Wulf
An Old English and Germanic word referring to the wild canine predator.
This name
De WolfeA locative or occupational surname denoting someone with the characteristics of a wolf.
also spelled
Dewolff
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
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shipEnterprise, and a great voyage undertaken
shipEnterprise, and a great voyage undertaken
