A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Despayne family of England.
Reg. 5203 · English, D–F
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
escutcheonA shield within a shield, and a claim inherited
Colours
Gold (Or)Means: Generosity
Silver (Argent)Means: Peace and sincerity
Blue (Azure)Means: Loyalty and truth
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)
“Gyronny of eight or and az. an inescutcheon ar”
Englandc. 1620
Where the Despayne Arms Were Recorded
York
Map of England showing where the Despayne arms are recorded
The Despayne 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 Despayne 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 Despayne Family in England
The family name Despayne carries a rich history that likely traces its roots to the migration of families from France to England during the early seventeenth century. By the year 1620, records confirm that members of the Despayne family were established in the historic city of York. At this time, York was a bustling center of trade and religious life, and families arriving from across the English Channel often integrated into the local merchant classes or skilled trades. The name itself suggests a linguistic connection to the region of Spain, possibly indicating that ancestors moved through different European territories before settling in Northern England. As these early settlers navigated life in a new country, they helped shape the local community through their work and social connections. Their presence in York during this period marks them as part of a wave of European families who sought new opportunities in England during the reign of King James I.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
panis
Latin word meaning bread or food.
This name
DespayneAn occupational surname for a baker or someone who provided bread.
also spelled
Despaine
Despagne
Documented Sources
Sir Bernard Burke, The General Armory of England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales, London: Harrison & Sons, 1884
Baines, Edward. History, Directory and Gazetteer of the County of York. 1822
The National Archives. State Papers Domestic, James I. 1603–1625
York City Archives. York House Books. 1620
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escutcheonA shield within a shield, and a claim inherited
escutcheonA shield within a shield, and a claim inherited
