A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Dess family of England.
Reg. 4065 · English, D–F
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
chevronProtection, and faithful service completed
cantonA mark of honour granted by the sovereign
owlWisdom and vigilance by night
lionCourage, strength and royalty
Colours
Blue (Azure)Means: Loyalty and truth
Gold (Or)Means: Generosity
Silver (Argent)Means: Peace and sincerity
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 chev. engr. betw. three owls or, on a canton of the second as many lions pass. guard. in pale of the first”
Englandc. 1620
Where the Dess Arms Were Recorded
York
Map of England showing where the Dess arms are recorded
The Dess 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 Dess 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 Dess Family in England
The history of the Dess family name in England is deeply connected to the city of York, where records confirm members of the family were living as early as 1620. During this period, York was a bustling center of trade and religious life, and families like the Dess line were often involved in the local merchant guilds or skilled crafts that defined the city’s economy. The name itself likely originated as a descriptive label or a shortened form of a longer occupational title, which was a common practice for families living in northern England during the seventeenth century. As the family established their roots in the shadow of the York Minster, they became part of the city’s long-standing tradition of community and craftsmanship. By remaining in the region for generations, the early Dess family members contributed to the local history of Yorkshire, helping to shape the social fabric of one of England’s most historic cities.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Desiderius
Derived from the Latin word for longing, desire, or wish.
This name
DessA locational surname referring to someone from the town of Dess in Germany.
Documented Sources
Sir Bernard Burke, The General Armory of England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales, London: Harrison & Sons, 1884
Borthwick Institute for Archives, York Diocesan Probate Records
City of York Archives, Freemen of the City of York, 1272–1759
Smith, David M., A Guide to the Archive Collections in the Borthwick Institute of Historical Research, 1973
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
chevronProtection, and faithful service completed
cantonA mark of honour granted by the sovereign
owlWisdom and vigilance by night
lionCourage, strength and royalty
chevronProtection, and faithful service completed
cantonA mark of honour granted by the sovereign
owlWisdom and vigilance by night
lionCourage, strength and royalty
