A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Emmerson family of England.
Reg. 8965 · English, D–F
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
bendDefence, and the scarf of a commander
lionCourage, strength and royalty
Colours
Gold (Or)Means: Generosity
Blue (Azure)Means: Loyalty and truth
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)
“Or, on a bend az. three lions pass. ar”
Englandc. 1620
Where the Emmerson Arms Were Recorded
York
Map of England showing where the Emmerson arms are recorded
The Emmerson 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 Emmerson 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 Emmerson Family in England
The surname Emmerson is a patronymic name, which means it was originally created to identify a person as the son of someone named Emery. The name Emery itself comes from old Germanic roots that translate to mean powerful or industrious ruler. By the time the family was firmly established in the city of York in 1620, the spelling had begun to stabilize into the form we recognize today. During the seventeenth century, families in northern England often lived in close-knit communities where trade and craftsmanship were central to daily life. Members of the Emmerson family in York likely participated in the vibrant mercantile culture of the city, which served as a major hub for commerce and regional governance. Over several generations, the name became deeply rooted in the local history of Yorkshire, reflecting a long tradition of family continuity within that historic urban landscape.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Emery
Derived from the Germanic elements meaning work and power or rule.
This name
EmmersonA patronymic surname signifying son of Emery, denoting a descendant of a powerful ruler.
also spelled
Emersonne
Emmersonne
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
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.
bendDefence, and the scarf of a commander
lionCourage, strength and royalty
bendDefence, and the scarf of a commander
lionCourage, strength and royalty
