A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Dropp family of England.
Reg. 2626 · English, D–F
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
chiefAuthority, wisdom and dominion
dropletsTears, and grief borne with patience
lionCourage, strength and royalty
Colours
Silver (Argent)Means: Peace and sincerity
Red (Gules)Means: Military strength
Black (Sable)Means: Constancy
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)
“Ar. guttée de poix, on a chief gu. a lion pass. guard. of the first”
HuntingdonHuntingdon, c. 1620
Where the Dropp Arms Were Recorded
Huntingdon
Map of England showing where the Dropp arms are recorded
The Dropp arms were recorded in Huntingdon, c. 1620.
Huntingdonshire was small, flat fen-edge country. Drainage made new farmland and new fortunes, and families who gained by it bought manors and took arms to match.
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 Dropp 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 Huntingdon.
Origin & History of the Dropp Family in England
The family name Dropp has roots that trace back to the historic market town of Huntingdon in England. By the year 1620, records confirm that members of the Dropp family were well-established residents in this area. During the seventeenth century, Huntingdon was a bustling center of trade and local government, which likely provided the family with opportunities to work as merchants, craftsmen, or landowners. The name itself is thought to be a descriptive surname, possibly originating from a nickname for a person with a specific physical trait or a habit of speech. As the family grew, they became part of the local social fabric, participating in the daily life and religious activities of the community during a time of great political change in England. Their presence in Huntingdon during this early period suggests they were settled, contributing members of a town that was becoming increasingly significant in the English landscape.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Droppa
Old English or Germanic term referring to a drop or liquid bead.
This name
DroppA topographic or occupational name for someone living near a small stream or a maker of liquid measures.
also spelled
Dropp
Documented Sources
Sir Bernard Burke, The General Armory of England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales, London: Harrison & Sons, 1884