A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Elmes family of England.
Reg. 9356 · English, D–F
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
leafHappiness and abundance
Colours
ErmineMeans: Dignity
Black (Sable)Means: Constancy
Gold (Or)Means: Generosity
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)
“Erm. two bars sa. each charged with five elm leaves or”
LancasterLancaster, c. 1653
Where the Elmes Arms Were Recorded
Lancaster
Map of England showing where the Elmes arms are recorded
The Elmes arms were recorded in Lancaster, c. 1653.
Lancashire was divided among a great many small landed families, more than most northern counties. Estates were passed down whole rather than split up, so the same names hold the same ground for centuries in the records.
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.
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 Lancaster.
Origin & History of the Elmes Family in England
The surname Elmes is a locative name, meaning it likely originated from a specific place or a prominent natural feature near where the first family members lived. Etymologists suggest the name is derived from the Old English word for the elm tree, indicating that the original ancestors may have resided near a notable grove or a single landmark tree. By the mid-seventeenth century, the family had established a clear presence in the historic city of Lancaster. Records from 1653 confirm that members of the Elmes family were active participants in the local community during this period of significant social and political change in England. As the family grew, they became part of the regional fabric of Lancashire, contributing to the agricultural and trade-based economy that defined the area during the seventeenth century.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Elm
A deciduous tree of the genus Ulmus.
This name
ElmesA topographic name for someone who lived near a prominent elm tree.
also spelled
Elms
Elmesse
Related arms
Davyrecorded with Elmes, same area
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
Lancashire Archives, Lancaster Parish Church Baptism, Marriage and Burial Registers, 1653
Reaney, Percy Hide, 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.
leafHappiness and abundance
leafHappiness and abundance
