A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Ellingham family of England.
Reg. 9592 · English, D–F
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
chevronProtection, and faithful service completed
falconOne eager and quick in pursuit
Colours
Black (Sable)Means: Constancy
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)
“Per chev. sa. and gu. three falcons' heads erased ar. beaked or”
Englandc. 1620
Where the Ellingham Arms Were Recorded
York
Map of England showing where the Ellingham arms are recorded
The Ellingham 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 Ellingham 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 Ellingham Family in England
The surname Ellingham is a locative name, meaning it originally identified people by the place where they lived. It is derived from the Old English words for a homestead or village belonging to the followers of a man named Ella. While the name is associated with various locations in England, records confirm that members of the family were well-established in the city of York by 1620. During this period, York was a bustling center of trade and religious activity, and families with this name were often involved in the city’s merchant guilds and local administration. As the family grew, they became part of the social fabric of Northern England, transitioning from their rural origins to become active participants in the urban life of one of the country's most historic cities.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Ella
Old English personal name meaning all or entirely.
This name
EllinghamRefers to the settlement or homestead belonging to the followers of Ella.
also spelled
Ellinghamme
Elyngham
Related arms
Elynghamvariant spelling
Documented Sources
Sir Bernard Burke, The General Armory of England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales, London: Harrison & Sons, 1884
Reaney, P.H., A Dictionary of English Surnames, 1991
Smith, A.H., The Place-Names of the East Riding of Yorkshire and York, 1937
Borthwick Institute for Archives, York Diocesan Probate Records
York City Archives, York House Books
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
chevronProtection, and faithful service completed
falconOne eager and quick in pursuit
chevronProtection, and faithful service completed
falconOne eager and quick in pursuit
