A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Edgecumbe family lines. Documented in 2 countries.
Reg. 1991 · French, D–F
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
bendDefence, and the scarf of a commander
ermineDignity and rank
cantonA mark of honour granted by the sovereign
Colours
Red (Gules)Means: Military strength
Gold (Or)Means: Generosity
Black (Sable)Means: Constancy
Historical info
Source
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Blazon (the actual original written record)
“De gu. à la bande d'or semée de mouch. d'herm. de sa., coticée d'or et ch. de trois hures de sanglier d'arg., les boutoirs vers le canton dextre du chef. C.: un sanglier pass. d'arg., d'une couronne de chêne de sin., englantée d'or. S.: deux lévriers d'arg. semés de larmes de sa., colletés-mortaisés de gu. D.: AU PLAISIR FORT DE DIEU.”
Francec. 1742
Where the Edgecumbe Arms Were Recorded
Bretagne
Map of France showing where the Edgecumbe arms are recorded
The Edgecumbe arms were recorded in France, c. 1742.
Arms such as these were typically recorded in Bretagne.
More families held coats of arms in Bretagne than anywhere else in France. The land was divided into many small estates rather than a few large ones, so far more households counted as gentry, and each needed a shield of its own to be told apart.
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 France in this period.
Louis XV of France
Sovereign of the period
Louis XV of France
1715–1774
Reigning in France when the Edgecumbe arms are first recorded.
How Arms Worked in France
In France, a coat of arms was a mark of honor that passed down through the male line to all legitimate descendants. Families often used the same shield without changes to show their shared heritage. If a branch wanted to stand out, they could add a small mark to their shield to show their specific place in the family tree.
Granting authority
The Juge d'armes de France acted as the official authority that regulated and verified coats of arms across the country.
How they got arms
Families typically inherited their arms from ancestors, though they could also receive them through royal grants or by proving their noble status.
Where arms were recorded
Coats of arms were officially recorded in the Armorial Général de France, which began its main collection in the year 1696.
The family's standing
Recorded among the armigerous families of France.
Origin & History of the Edgecumbe Family in France
The history of the Edgecumbe family name in France is deeply tied to the cultural landscape of the Brittany region. While the name is often associated with English nobility, records confirm that family members were firmly established in Bretagne by 1742. During this period, the family integrated into the local social fabric of northwestern France, likely navigating the complex regional politics and maritime trade networks that defined the area. The presence of the family in this coastal province suggests they were part of the movement of people across the English Channel, which was common for families with interests in both nations. By settling in Brittany, these early ancestors became part of a unique historical narrative that blended their ancestral identity with the distinct traditions of the Breton people. Their survival and integration into local life during the mid-eighteenth century highlight the family's ability to adapt to new environments while maintaining their distinct heritage.
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
bendDefence, and the scarf of a commander
boars headA fierce fighter who battles to the end
Colours
Red (Gules)Means: Military strength
ErmineMeans: Dignity
Gold (Or)Means: Generosity
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)
“Gu. on a bend erm. betw. two cotises or, three boars' heads couped sa. The original”
DevonLower Edgecumbe · Devon, c. 1620
Where the Edgecumbe Arms Were Recorded
Devon
Map of England showing where the Edgecumbe arms are recorded
The Edgecumbe arms were recorded in Devon, c. 1620.
Devon was a county of small manors and seafaring families. Its gentry were spread thickly across the countryside, and money made at sea often bought an estate, which in turn brought a coat 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 England in this period.
James VI and I
Sovereign of the period
James VI and I
1603–1625
Reigning in France when the Edgecumbe 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 Devon.
Origin & History of the Edgecumbe Family in England
The Edgecumbe family name is deeply rooted in the landscape of the West Country of England, with its origins tied to the rugged terrain of Devon and Cornwall. By the early 17th century, the family had firmly established itself in these regions, becoming notable landowners who played an active role in local governance and community life. The name itself is topographical, likely derived from the Old English words for a ridge and a valley, which suggests that the earliest ancestors were identified by the specific geography of their home. As the family grew in influence, they became synonymous with the development of large estates, such as Cotehele and Mount Edgcumbe, which served as the center of their social and political power for generations. Their presence in Devon by 1620 reflects a long-standing commitment to the region, where they navigated the shifting tides of English history while maintaining their status as prominent members of the local gentry.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Edge-combe
A sharp ridge or border located near a valley or hollow.
This name
EdgecumbeDerived from a topographical location referring to a dwelling situated on the edge of a valley.
also spelled
Edgecomb
Edgecombe
Edgecum
Edgcumbe
Edgcombe
Related arms
Edgcumbevariant spelling
Documented Sources
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Archives départementales d’Ille-et-Vilaine, Série B (Cours et juridictions)
Poterie, Henri, Histoire de la Bretagne, 1974
Touchard-Lafosse, Georges, La Loire historique, pittoresque et biographique, 1840
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
cantonA mark of honour granted by the sovereign
bendDefence, and the scarf of a commander
ermineDignity and rank
cantonA mark of honour granted by the sovereign
boars headA fierce fighter who battles to the end
