A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Downham family of England.
Reg. 6902 · English, D–F
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
fessThe military belt, and readiness to serve
masclePersuasion and the mail of a knight's coat
Colours
Blue (Azure)Means: Loyalty and truth
ErmineMeans: Dignity
Red (Gules)Means: Military strength
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)
“Az. on a fesse erm. three mascles gu”
Englandc. 1620
Where the Downham Arms Were Recorded
York
Map of England showing where the Downham arms are recorded
The Downham 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 Downham 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 Downham Family in England
The family name Downham is a locational surname, which means it was originally taken from a specific place name. In Old English, the name is derived from the words "dun," meaning a hill, and "ham," meaning a home or village. This suggests that the earliest people to carry the name were likely residents of a settlement situated on or near a prominent hill. By the year 1620, records confirm that members of the Downham family were well-established in the historic city of York. During this period, York was a bustling center of trade and religion, and families living there were often involved in the city’s vibrant craft guilds or local government. As these individuals moved through the region, they carried the name with them, helping it transition from a simple description of a place to a permanent family identifier that has lasted for centuries.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
dun and ham
Old English for hill and homestead or village.
This name
DownhamRefers to a settlement or homestead located on or near a hill.
also spelled
Downam
Downhem
Related arms
Downamvariant spelling
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, University of York. Archbishop of York Diocesan Records
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
fessThe military belt, and readiness to serve
masclePersuasion and the mail of a knight's coat
fessThe military belt, and readiness to serve
masclePersuasion and the mail of a knight's coat
