A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Elmy family of England.
Reg. 9387 · English, D–F
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
flaunchesA reward for virtue and learning
roundelA coin, and one who has been to the crusades
Colours
Red (Gules)Means: Military strength
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)
“Gu. five bezants in saltire betw. two flaunches or, each charged with a lion ramp. sa”
Englandc. 1620
Where the Elmy Arms Were Recorded
York
Map of England showing where the Elmy arms are recorded
The Elmy 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 Elmy 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 Elmy Family in England
The surname Elmy is believed to have originated in England as a locative or descriptive name, likely derived from the Old English word "elm" combined with a suffix indicating a specific place or person. By the year 1620, historical records confirm that members of the Elmy family were well-established in the city of York. During this period, York was a major center for trade and religious life, and families living there were often involved in the city’s bustling merchant guilds or local craft industries. As the family grew, they became part of the social fabric of Northern England, living through a time of significant political and religious change. The presence of the name in York suggests that the family had deep roots in the region, contributing to the local community as laborers, tradespeople, or citizens long before the name spread to other parts of the country.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Helm
A protective covering for the head or a helmet.
This name
ElmyDerived from a topographic or occupational name referring to a helmet maker or wearer.
also spelled
Elmie
Elmey
Documented Sources
Sir Bernard Burke, The General Armory of England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales, London: Harrison & Sons, 1884
Reaney, P.H. and Wilson, R.M., A Dictionary of English Surnames, 1997
Bardsley, Charles Wareing, A Dictionary of English and Welsh Surnames, 1901
Borthwick Institute for Archives, York Diocesan Probate Records, 1620
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
flaunchesA reward for virtue and learning
roundelA coin, and one who has been to the crusades
flaunchesA reward for virtue and learning
roundelA coin, and one who has been to the crusades
