A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Dolphine family of England.
Reg. 0036 · English, D–F
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
cantonA mark of honour granted by the sovereign
Colours
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)
“Paly bendy or and gu. a canton az”
Englandc. 1620
Where the Dolphine Arms Were Recorded
York
Map of England showing where the Dolphine arms are recorded
The Dolphine 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 Dolphine 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 Dolphine Family in England
The family name Dolphine has roots that trace back to the historic 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 activity, and families like the Dolphines were often integrated into the local merchant or craft guilds that defined the city’s economy. The name itself likely evolved from older linguistic roots, possibly linked to the French word for dolphin, which was sometimes used as a nickname for someone who lived near water or possessed a lively personality. As the family established their presence in Northern England, they became part of the social fabric of Yorkshire, witnessing the significant political and cultural shifts that shaped the region throughout the seventeenth century. Their early history reflects the typical experience of English families who settled in established urban centers, contributing to the local community through their work and daily lives.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Delphinus
Latin term for a dolphin or a person from the Dauphiné region.
This name
DolphineAn English habitational or occupational surname derived from the Greek word for dolphin.
also spelled
Dolfine
Dolphyn
Dolfynne
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
Borthwick Institute for Archives. Archbishop of York Probate Records. 1620
Drake, Francis. Eboracum: or the History and Antiquities of the City of York. 1736
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
cantonA mark of honour granted by the sovereign
cantonA mark of honour granted by the sovereign
