A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Delaware family lines. Documented in 2 countries.
Reg. 5328 · English, D–F
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
cross symbolChristian faith and service
orlePreservation, and protection in battle
lionCourage, strength and royalty
Colours
Red (Gules)Means: Military strength
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 lion ramp. betw. five crosses crosslet fitchée or. (another, an orle of eight crosses)”
Englandc. 1620
Where the Delaware Arms Were Recorded
York
Map of England showing where the Delaware arms are recorded
The Delaware 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 Delaware 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 Delaware Family in England
The family name Delaware traces its roots to the historic landscape of England, where it emerged as a locative surname derived from the French phrase de la warre, meaning of the war. This naming convention suggests that early ancestors were likely associated with a specific river or a place known for its defensive significance. By the early 17th century, the family established a notable presence in the northern city of York. Records from 1620 indicate that members of the family were integrated into the local community during a period of great social and political transition in England. As residents of a major hub like York, these individuals were part of a society that was rapidly expanding its reach through trade and early colonial exploration. Their presence in such a prominent urban center highlights the family’s involvement in the administrative and economic life of the region during the reign of King James I.
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
cross symbolChristian faith and service
chiefAuthority, wisdom and dominion
lionCourage, strength and royalty
Colours
Blue (Azure)Means: Loyalty and truth
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)
“Az. a lion ramp. betw. eight crosses crosslet fitchée or, three, two, two, and one, charged on the shoulder with a crescent, a chief of the second”
Irelandc. 1645
Where the Delaware Arms Were Recorded
Dublin
Map of Ireland showing where the Delaware arms are recorded
The Delaware arms were recorded in Ireland, c. 1645.
Arms such as these were typically recorded in Dublin.
Dublin was the seat of government in Ireland and the place where grants were sought and recorded. Families with business at the castle or the courts settled nearby, and settling there put their arms on record.
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 Ireland in this period.
Charles I of England
Sovereign of the period
Charles I of England
1625–1649
Reigning in England when the Delaware arms are first recorded.
How Arms Worked in Ireland
The Ulster King of Arms granted coats of arms to individuals who proved their social standing and good character. These symbols were typically inherited by all legitimate descendants of the original holder. If a family branch wanted a unique look, they could apply for a specific change to their design through the office to ensure their identity remained distinct.
Granting authority
The Ulster King of Arms acted as the official body that regulated and issued all coats of arms throughout Ireland.
How they got arms
Families obtained their arms through formal grants issued by the office after proving their eligibility and paying the required fees.
Where arms were recorded
All official grants were recorded in the registers held by the Ulster King of Arms starting from the year 1552.
The family's standing
Recorded among the armigerous families of Ireland.
Origin & History of the Delaware Family in Ireland
The history of the Delaware name in Ireland is closely tied to the shifting political landscape of the seventeenth century. While the surname is often associated with later colonial expansion, records confirm that family members were established in Dublin by 1645. During this period, Dublin served as a center for administrative and military activity, and families like the Delawares were often involved in the urban life of the city as it navigated the turmoil of the Irish Confederate Wars. The presence of the family in the capital suggests they were part of the growing merchant or professional class that supported the city’s infrastructure during a time of significant transition. By settling in Dublin, these early family members integrated into a society that was rapidly changing under the influence of both local Irish traditions and broader European connections. Their early history reflects the broader movement of people who sought new opportunities within the administrative hubs of the British Isles during the mid-seventeenth century.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
de la warre
Old French prepositional phrase meaning of the war or of the weir.
This name
DelawareA locational surname referring to someone who lived near a river weir or defensive fortification.
also spelled
Delaward
Delawarde
Delawarr
Related arms
Deckles, or Dekessimilar arms
Jordansimilar arms
Delawardvariant spelling
Delawardevariant 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., 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.
cross symbolChristian faith and service
orlePreservation, and protection in battle
lionCourage, strength and royalty
cross symbolChristian faith and service
orlePreservation, and protection in battle
lionCourage, strength and royalty
chiefAuthority, wisdom and dominion
