A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Dorset family of England.
Reg. 0540 · English, D–F
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
chiefAuthority, wisdom and dominion
mulletThe third son, and a divine quality from above
Colours
Black (Sable)Means: Constancy
Silver (Argent)Means: Peace and sincerity
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)
“Sa. three mullets or, a chief ar”
Englandc. 1620
Where the Dorset Arms Were Recorded
York
Map of England showing where the Dorset arms are recorded
The Dorset 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 Dorset 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 Dorset Family in England
The family name Dorset is a locative surname, meaning it originally identified people based on the region or town they called home. While the name is famously linked to the county of Dorset in the southwest of England, branches of the family moved across the country over the centuries. By 1620, records confirm that members of the family were well-established in the historic city of York. During this period, York was a major center for trade and religious life, and families living there were often involved in the city’s thriving merchant guilds or local administration. These early residents likely migrated north for economic opportunities, carrying their regional name with them as they integrated into the unique culture of Northern England. This transition from a southern geographic identifier to a settled northern lineage highlights the mobility of families in early modern Britain.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Dorsete
Old English term for the people of the district of Durnovaria.
This name
DorsetRefers to a person originating from the county of Dorset in England.
also spelled
Dorsit
Documented Sources
Sir Bernard Burke, The General Armory of England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales, London: Harrison & Sons, 1884
Bardsley, Charles Wareing, A Dictionary of English and Welsh Surnames, 1901
Reaney, P.H., A Dictionary of British Surnames, 1958
Borthwick Institute for Archives, York Diocesan Probate Records, 1620
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
chiefAuthority, wisdom and dominion
mulletThe third son, and a divine quality from above
chiefAuthority, wisdom and dominion
mulletThe third son, and a divine quality from above
