A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Edgcombe family of England.
Reg. 0390 · English, D–F
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
bendDefence, and the scarf of a commander
ermineDignity and rank
boars headA fierce fighter who battles to the end
Colours
Red (Gules)Means: Military strength
Counter-ermine (Ermines)Means: Dignity
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. on a bend ermines cotised or, three boars' heads couped ar”
EnglandMount-Edgcumbe, c. 1620
Where the Edgcombe Arms Were Recorded
York
Map of England showing where the Edgcombe arms are recorded
The Edgcombe arms were recorded in Mount-Edgcumbe, 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 Edgcombe 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 Edgcombe Family in England
The surname Edgcombe is a topographical name that originated in England, likely derived from Old English words describing a valley or a ridge. While the family name has deep roots in the southwestern counties of England, records confirm that members of the family were established in the city of York by 1620. During this period, York was a significant northern hub for trade and administration, suggesting that the family may have moved there to pursue professional opportunities or religious interests. As the name spread from its rural origins into urban centers, it became part of the growing social fabric of seventeenth-century England. The presence of the Edgcombe name in historical documents from this era highlights the family’s transition from local landowners or farmers to active participants in the life of a major provincial city.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Edge + Cumb
A sharp ridge or border combined with a valley or hollow.
This name
EdgcombeRefers to someone who lived near the edge of a valley or a ridge-side hollow.
also spelled
Edgecombe
Edgcombe
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
York City Archives, York City Chamberlains' Accounts, 1620
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
bendDefence, and the scarf of a commander
ermineDignity and rank
boars headA fierce fighter who battles to the end
bendDefence, and the scarf of a commander
ermineDignity and rank
boars headA fierce fighter who battles to the end
