Map of England showing where the Diamonds arms are recorded
The Diamonds arms were recorded in Devon, c. 1620.
Devon was a county of small manors and seafaring families. Its gentry were spread thickly across the countryside, and money made at sea often bought an estate, which in turn brought a coat 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 Diamonds 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 Devon.
Origin & History of the Diamonds Family in England
The surname Diamond, or Diamonds, has deep roots in the coastal landscape of Devon, England. By the early 17th century, members of the family were well-established in this region, likely living as farmers or tradespeople who relied on the local land and sea. Surnames during this era often evolved from nicknames, occupations, or specific locations, and the name Diamond may have originally been a descriptive term for someone with a bright personality or a particularly sharp wit. As the family grew in Devon throughout the 1620s, they became part of the backbone of rural English society. Their presence in the parish records of the time suggests they were ordinary citizens who helped shape the local community during a period of significant social and economic change in the West Country.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Adamas
Ancient Greek term for an unbreakable or invincible substance.
This name
DiamondsA topographic or occupational name for someone who worked with or dealt in precious stones.
also spelled
Diamont
Diamonte
Documented Sources
Sir Bernard Burke, The General Armory of England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales, London: Harrison & Sons, 1884
Reaney, P.H., A Dictionary of English Surnames, 1991
Devon Archives and Local Studies Service, Parish Registers of Devon, 1620
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
fusilTravail and industry
fessThe military belt, and readiness to serve
lozengeHonour and nobility, and the arms of a woman
fusilTravail and industry
fessThe military belt, and readiness to serve
lozengeHonour and nobility, and the arms of a woman
