A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Earle family of England.
Reg. 6006 · English, D–F
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
fessThe military belt, and readiness to serve
duckResourcefulness on land and water
Colours
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)
“Gu. a fess betw. three sheldrakes ar”
LincolnCraglethorpe · Lincoln, c. 1558
Where the Earle Arms Were Recorded
Lincoln
Map of England showing where the Earle arms are recorded
The Earle arms were recorded in Lincoln, c. 1558.
Lincolnshire was rich farming country, and its wealth was spread across many middling families. Households of that size bought land and took arms, and the county holds a large share of English names.
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.
Mary I
Sovereign of the period
Mary I
1553–1558
Reigning in England when the Earle 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 Lincoln.
Origin & History of the Earle Family in England
The surname Earle is rooted in the Old English word *eorl*, which originally described a man of noble birth or high rank. Over time, this title evolved into a descriptive name for someone who served in the household of an earl or acted with the dignified manner expected of a nobleman. By the middle of the sixteenth century, the family had established a notable presence in the city of Lincoln. Records from 1558 confirm that members of the family were active residents there during a period of significant social and religious transition in England. As the name became hereditary, it moved away from its origins as a formal title and became a permanent identifier for families living in the East Midlands and beyond. These early ancestors were likely involved in the local trade and civic life that defined Lincoln as a major regional hub during the Tudor era.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
eorl
An Old English term denoting a man of noble birth or rank.
This name
EarleA hereditary title of nobility or a person holding a high-ranking position in society.
also spelled
Erle
Erll
Related arms
Erlevariant spelling
Bulwerrecorded with Earle, same area
Dynerecorded with Earle, same area
Jowettrecorded with Earle, 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
Lincolnshire Archives, Lincoln Consistory Court Wills, 1558
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fessThe military belt, and readiness to serve
duckResourcefulness on land and water
fessThe military belt, and readiness to serve
duckResourcefulness on land and water
