A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Durham family lines. Documented in 3 countries.
Reg. 4782 · Britain, D–F
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
fessThe military belt, and readiness to serve
mulletThe third son, and a divine quality from above
plant thistleDefiance, and the defence of Scotland
crescentHonour by the sovereign, and the second son
Colours
Gold (Or)Means: Generosity
Blue (Azure)Means: Loyalty and truth
Green (Vert)Means: Hope
Red (Gules)Means: Military strength
Historical info
Source
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Blazon (the actual original written record)
“D'or à la fasce d'azur, ch. de trois étoiles (5) du champ, acc. en chef d'un chardon de sin., tigé et feuillé du même, et en p. d'un croiss. de gu. C.: deux dauphins adossés au nat., la tête en haut. D.: ULTRA FERT ANIMUS.”
BritainElbing, c. 1700
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Map of Britain showing where the Durham arms are recorded
The Durham arms were recorded in Elbing, c. 1700.
Arms such as these were typically recorded in Kent.
Kent sits between London and the short crossing to Europe, and the trade passing through made it wealthy. Merchant families bought land with that money, and it was landowners who took coats of 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 Britain in this period.
William III of England
Sovereign of the period
William III of England
1694–1702
Reigning in Britain when the Durham arms are first recorded.
How Arms Worked in Britain
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 Britain.
Origin & History of the Durham Family in Britain
The surname Durham is a locative name, meaning it originated from a specific place rather than a trade or a personal characteristic. It is derived from the city of Durham in the north of England, which takes its name from the Old English words for a hill and an island. While the name is famously tied to the northern cathedral city, families carrying this surname migrated across Britain over the centuries for work, trade, and land opportunities. By the year 1700, records confirm that branches of the family had established themselves in the county of Kent. This movement was common during the early modern period as people traveled from northern regions toward the growing economic centers in the south. These early settlers in Kent likely integrated into local agricultural or merchant communities, helping the name spread far from its original northern roots.
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
chiefAuthority, wisdom and dominion
crescentHonour by the sovereign, and the second son
mulletThe third son, and a divine quality from above
Colours
Gold (Or)Means: Generosity
Blue (Azure)Means: Loyalty and truth
Red (Gules)Means: Military strength
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)
“Or, a crescent gu. on a chief az. three mullets ar”
FifeLargo · Fife, c. 1672
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Map of Scotland showing where the Durham arms are recorded
The Durham arms were recorded in Fife, c. 1672.
Fife was farming country between two firths, with royal palaces and old burghs along its coast. Its landed families were numerous and close to the court, and closeness to the court brought 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 Scotland in this period.
Charles II of England
Sovereign of the period
Charles II of England
1660–1685
Reigning in Britain when the Durham arms are first recorded.
How Arms Worked in Scotland
Scottish heraldry is unique because it treats a coat of arms as a piece of personal property protected by law. Only one person can own a specific design at any given time. When a family grows, the head keeps the original shield while other relatives must apply for their own distinct version with slight changes to prove their specific identity.
Granting authority
The Court of the Lord Lyon acts as the official body that regulates and controls all heraldic matters throughout Scotland.
How they got arms
Individuals obtain a legal right to their arms through a formal petition process that confirms their identity and family connection.
Where arms were recorded
All valid coats of arms are officially entered into the Public Register of All Arms and Bearings starting from 1672.
The family's standing
Recorded among the armigerous families of Fife.
Origin & History of the Durham Family in Scotland
The Durham family name traces its roots to the historic county of Fife in Scotland, where members of the family established a notable presence by the late seventeenth century. The name itself is locational, originating from the city of Durham in Northern England, and it likely migrated north as individuals moved across the border for trade, land, or service. By 1672, the Durhams were well-integrated into the social fabric of Fife, often appearing in local records as landowners and figures of influence within their communities. Their history in this region reflects the broader patterns of movement between the Scottish Lowlands and the English borderlands during the medieval and early modern periods. As they settled in Fife, the family became deeply connected to the local landscape, contributing to the development of the region through their involvement in agriculture and local governance.
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
fleur de lisPurity, light, and the sixth son
Colours
Gold (Or)Means: Generosity
Blue (Azure)Means: Loyalty and truth
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)
“Or, a fleur-de-lis az. each leaf charged with a mullet of the first”
DurhamUniversity College · Durham, c. 1574
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
Map of England showing where the Durham arms are recorded
The Durham arms were recorded in Durham, c. 1574.
Durham was governed by its bishop rather than the crown for most of its history, with its own courts and its own landed class. That separate world produced a tight group of families, nearly all of whom held 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 Britain when the Durham 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 Durham.
Origin & History of the Durham Family in England
The family name Durham is a locative surname, which means it was originally adopted by people to identify the place where they lived or originated. The name is derived from the city of Durham in the north of England, a location famous for its historic cathedral and its position near the Scottish border. By the year 1574, records confirm that members of the family were well-established in this region. During this period, the area was a center of significant religious and political activity, often shaped by its proximity to the frontier. Families living in this part of England during the sixteenth century were frequently involved in local trade, agriculture, or the service of the powerful Prince-Bishops who governed the county. As people moved away from their ancestral homes for work or marriage, they carried the name Durham with them, turning a geographic label into a lasting family identity.
Durham Meaning & Related Branches
Root word
Dun-holm
Old English words for hill and island or river meadow.
This name
DurhamRefers to a settlement located on a hill surrounded by a river.
also spelled
Durram
Dureham
Durhum
Duram
Related arms
Richardsonsame arms
Balfourrecorded with Durham, same area
Chedworthrecorded with Durham, same area
Dunbarrecorded with Durham, same area
Documented Sources
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Reaney, P.H. and Wilson, R.M., A Dictionary of English Surnames, 1991
Hanks, Patrick, Dictionary of American Family Names, 2003
The National Archives, Prerogative Court of Canterbury and related Probate Jurisdictions: Will Registers, 1700
Kent History and Library Centre, Parish Registers of Kent, 1700
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
mulletThe third son, and a divine quality from above
plant thistleDefiance, and the defence of Scotland
crescentHonour by the sovereign, and the second son
fessThe military belt, and readiness to serve
mulletThe third son, and a divine quality from above
plant thistleDefiance, and the defence of Scotland
crescentHonour by the sovereign, and the second son
chiefAuthority, wisdom and dominion
fleur de lisPurity, light, and the sixth son
