A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Devan family of England.
Reg. 3512 · English, D–F
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
chequyConstancy, and the counting-board
fessThe military belt, and readiness to serve
Colours
Gold (Or)Means: Generosity
Red (Gules)Means: Military strength
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)
“Chequy or and az. a fesse gu”
MiddlesexTeddington · Middlesex, c. 1620
Where the Devan Arms Were Recorded
Middlesex
Map of England showing where the Devan arms are recorded
The Devan arms were recorded in Middlesex, c. 1620.
Middlesex was the county around London, and City money flowed straight into it. Merchants and officials bought estates within reach of the capital, and a new estate brought a coat of arms with it.
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 Devan 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 Middlesex.
Origin & History of the Devan Family in England
The surname Devan carries a rich history that traces back to the early seventeenth century in England. Records confirm that members of the family were firmly established in the county of Middlesex by 1620, a time when the region was a bustling hub of trade and social change near London. The name likely evolved from regional dialects or occupational descriptions common to the area during the late medieval and early modern periods. Families living in Middlesex at this time often worked in agriculture, local crafts, or the growing merchant class that supported the nearby capital. As the family grew, they became part of the local fabric of the English countryside, contributing to the development of their communities through their daily labor and civic involvement. This early presence in Middlesex marks the beginning of the family name as a distinct identifier within the historical landscape of England.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Devon
Derived from the Dumnonii tribe meaning dwellers of the deep valley.
This name
DevanA locative surname referring to individuals who originated from the county of Devon.
also spelled
Devanne
Devin
Related arms
Devon, Earl ofvariant spelling
Berryrecorded with Devan, same area
Franksrecorded with Devan, same area
Lynchrecorded with Devan, same area
Documented Sources
Sir Bernard Burke, The General Armory of England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales, London: Harrison & Sons, 1884
London Metropolitan Archives, Middlesex Parish Registers, 1538–1812
The National Archives, State Papers Domestic, James I, 1619–1623
Reaney, P.H., A Dictionary of English Surnames, 1958
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
chequyConstancy, and the counting-board
fessThe military belt, and readiness to serve
chequyConstancy, and the counting-board
fessThe military belt, and readiness to serve
