Map of England showing where the Deeds arms are recorded
The Deeds arms were recorded in Kent, c. 1620.
Kent sits between London and the short crossing to Europe, and the trade passing through made it wealthy. Merchant families bought land with that money, and it was landowners who took coats of 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 Deeds 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 Kent.
Origin & History of the Deeds Family in England
The family name Deeds is rooted in the historical landscape of Kent, England, where members of the family were firmly established by the early 17th century. The name itself is likely a topographic or occupational descriptor that evolved from the Middle English word "dede," which could refer to a person known for their actions or perhaps someone who lived near a specific landmark. By 1620, the family was well-integrated into the local community, living in a region defined by its proximity to the English Channel and its long history of agricultural and maritime trade. During this period, families in Kent often held land through tenant farming or local commerce, contributing to the steady growth of the regional economy. As the family expanded throughout the 1600s, they became part of the social fabric of southeastern England, eventually seeing their descendants participate in the broader movements of the British Empire and the migration to the American colonies.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
dæd
Old English term for an action, act, or deed.
This name
DeedsA topographic or occupational name for a person known for their notable actions or achievements.
also spelled
Deeds
Deedis
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
Kent Archives, Canterbury Cathedral Archives: Records of the Dean and Chapter, 1620
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
fessThe military belt, and readiness to serve
martletA younger son, who must win his own land
fessThe military belt, and readiness to serve
martletA younger son, who must win his own land
