A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Dove family of England.
Reg. 7738 · English, D–F
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
chevronProtection, and faithful service completed
dovePeace, love and the Holy Spirit
Colours
Blue (Azure)Means: Loyalty and truth
Green (Vert)Means: Hope
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)
“Per chev. az. and vert, three doves ar. beaked and legged gu”
SurreyCamberwell · Surrey, c. 1572
Where the Dove Arms Were Recorded
Surrey
Map of England showing where the Dove arms are recorded
The Dove arms were recorded in Surrey, c. 1572.
Surrey sat just south of London and filled up with families who had made money in the City. Buying an estate there was the usual next step, and an estate was the usual reason to take 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.
Elizabeth I of England
Sovereign of the period
Elizabeth I of England
1558–1603
Reigning in England when the Dove 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 Surrey.
Origin & History of the Dove Family in England
The surname Dove is primarily classified as a nickname-based name, originating from the Middle English word *duve*. In medieval times, such names were often given to individuals who possessed personality traits associated with a specific bird, such as a gentle or peaceful nature. By the time the family was firmly established in Surrey in 1572, the name had already been in use for several generations across various parts of England. During the sixteenth century, families with this name were often involved in local agriculture or trade, living as settled members of their parish communities. As the family grew in Surrey, they became part of the social fabric of the region, participating in the local economy and leaving behind records of their daily lives in parish registers and legal documents. This transition from a descriptive nickname to a formal hereditary surname reflects the broader historical trend of families adopting stable names to identify their lineage within their local towns and villages.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Dufa
Old Norse term referring to the bird species known as a dove.
This name
DoveA nickname for a gentle or peaceful person, or an occupational name for a pigeon keeper.
also spelled
Douve
Related arms
Angellrecorded with Dove, same area
Bowyerrecorded with Dove, same area
Muschamprecorded with Dove, same area
Scotrecorded with Dove, same area
Documented Sources
Sir Bernard Burke, The General Armory of England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales, London: Harrison & Sons, 1884
Reaney, P.H. and Wilson, R.M., A Dictionary of English Surnames, 1991
Surrey History Centre, Parish Register Records for Surrey, 1572
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
dovePeace, love and the Holy Spirit
chevronProtection, and faithful service completed
dovePeace, love and the Holy Spirit
