A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Emes family of England.
Reg. 6812 · English, D–F
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
fessThe military belt, and readiness to serve
martletA younger son, who must win his own land
Colours
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)
“Gu. on a fesse battelly betw. three martlets ar. as many escarbuncles of six rays sa”
CornwallCornwall, c. 1620
Where the Emes Arms Were Recorded
Cornwall
Map of England showing where the Emes arms are recorded
The Emes arms were recorded in Cornwall, c. 1620.
Cornwall was a county apart, with its own language and its own tight-knit gentry. Tin and the sea made money there, and families who made it bought land, which is what brought arms with it.
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 Emes 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 Cornwall.
Origin & History of the Emes Family in England
The surname Emes is a patronymic name, which means it likely originated from a shortened version of the given name Emma or Eme. During the early seventeenth century, the family established a notable presence in the rugged landscape of Cornwall. By 1620, individuals bearing this name were integrated into the local community, likely working in the traditional industries of the region such as tin mining or coastal farming. Because Cornwall was somewhat isolated from the rest of England due to its geography, families in this area often developed strong local ties and distinct traditions. The name persisted through generations as these early settlers adapted to the challenging climate and the unique social structure of the Cornish peninsula.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Emma
Derived from the Germanic element ermen meaning whole or universal.
This name
EmesA patronymic form indicating a descendant of a person named Emma.
also spelled
Eames
Ems
Emesse
Related arms
Eamesvariant spelling
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, 1991
Cornwall Archives, Parish Registers of Cornwall, 1620
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fessThe military belt, and readiness to serve
martletA younger son, who must win his own land
fessThe military belt, and readiness to serve
martletA younger son, who must win his own land
