Map of England showing where the Earls arms are recorded
The Earls arms were recorded in England, c. 1660.
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.
Charles II of England
Sovereign of the period
Charles II of England
1660–1685
Reigning in England when the Earls 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 Earls Family in England
The surname Earls is rooted in the social structure of medieval England, originating as a descriptive title that eventually became a hereditary family name. During the Middle Ages, individuals were often identified by their occupation, their physical appearance, or their status within the local community. The name likely began as a nickname for someone who worked in the household of an earl or for a person who carried themselves with the perceived dignity and authority of a nobleman. By the time records place the family in York around 1660, the name had transitioned from a simple descriptor into a stable surname passed down through generations. Living in a historic center like York during the mid-seventeenth century suggests that these early ancestors were part of a bustling urban environment defined by trade, religious shifts, and the aftermath of the English Civil War. As the family established their roots in this northern city, they became part of the long tradition of common citizens whose names reflect the complex social hierarchy of early modern England.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
eorl
Old English term for a nobleman, warrior, or man of rank.
This name
EarlsA patronymic surname denoting a descendant or servant of a nobleman.
also spelled
Erles
Earlls
Erlls
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
Bardsley, Charles Wareing, A Dictionary of English and Welsh Surnames, 1901
York City Archives, Parish Registers of the City of York, 1660
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
cross symbolChristian faith and service
crownSovereignty, authority and just reward
cross symbolChristian faith and service
crownSovereignty, authority and just reward
