A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Ellam family of England.
Reg. 0728 · English, D–F
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
bendDefence, and the scarf of a commander
Colours
Silver (Argent)Means: Peace and sincerity
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)
“Per bend embattled ar. and sa”
Englandc. 1620
Where the Ellam Arms Were Recorded
York
Map of England showing where the Ellam arms are recorded
The Ellam arms were recorded in England, 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 Ellam 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 Ellam Family in England
The family name Ellam is deeply rooted in the historic city of York, where records confirm that members of the family were well-established by the year 1620. During this period, York was a bustling center of trade and religious life, and families with this surname were often integrated into the local community as skilled tradespeople or laborers. The name itself is thought to be locational in origin, likely derived from a specific place or a topographical feature near where the first bearers lived. As the family grew, they became part of the social fabric of Northern England, witnessing the dramatic shifts of the seventeenth century. By remaining in the region for generations, the Ellam family helped shape the local history of York, leaving behind a legacy that is still tied to the city’s ancient streets and parish records.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Aethelhelm
Derived from Old English elements meaning noble and protector or helmet.
This name
EllamA locative or patronymic surname originating from the Old English personal name Aethelhelm.
also spelled
Ellem
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
Borthwick Institute for Archives, York Diocesan Probate Records, 1620
Reaney, P.H., A Dictionary of British Surnames, 1958
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
bendDefence, and the scarf of a commander
