A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Elsing family of England.
Reg. 3924 · English, D–F
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
fleur de lisPurity, light, and the sixth son
Colours
Red (Gules)Means: Military strength
Gold (Or)Means: Generosity
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)
“Gu. two bars or, betw. three fleurs-de-lis ar”
Englandc. 1620
Where the Elsing Arms Were Recorded
York
Map of England showing where the Elsing arms are recorded
The Elsing 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 Elsing 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 Elsing Family in England
The family name Elsing is rooted in the landscape of medieval England, likely originating as a locative surname derived from the village of Elsing in Norfolk. This type of name was typically given to individuals who moved away from their home parish, serving as a way to identify them by their place of origin. By the early seventeenth century, members of the family had established a presence in the historic city of York. Records confirm their residence there by 1620, placing them in a bustling urban center that served as a major hub for trade and administration in Northern England. During this period, families with the name were integrated into the local community, often participating in the professional and social life of the city as it transitioned through the Stuart era. This migration from rural origins to a prominent city like York reflects the broader patterns of movement that shaped English society during the early modern period.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Elles
A diminutive form of the Germanic name Elias or Ella.
This name
ElsingRefers to a person originating from the village of Elsing in Norfolk.
also spelled
Elsyng
Elsyngge
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
Reaney, Percy Hide, A Dictionary of British Surnames, 1958
Borthwick Institute for Archives, York Diocesan Probate Records
The National Archives, State Papers Domestic, James I
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
fleur de lisPurity, light, and the sixth son
fleur de lisPurity, light, and the sixth son
