A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Empson family of England.
Reg. 5621 · English, D–F
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
bendDefence, and the scarf of a commander
chevronProtection, and faithful service completed
escallopThe pilgrim's shell, and a long journey made
Colours
Gold (Or)Means: Generosity
Black (Sable)Means: Constancy
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)
“Quarterly, 1st and 4th, or, two bends engr. sa.; 2nd and 3rd, sa. a chev. betw. three escallops or”
Englandc. 1620
Where the Empson Arms Were Recorded
York
Map of England showing where the Empson arms are recorded
The Empson 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 Empson 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 Empson Family in England
The surname Empson is a patronymic name, which means it originated as a way to identify a person as the son of someone named Emme. During the Middle Ages, Emme was a common given name derived from Germanic roots that meant universal or whole. By the early 17th century, the family had established a notable presence in the city of York. Records from 1620 confirm that members of the Empson family were active participants in the civic and social life of this historic northern English hub. As the family grew, they became deeply integrated into the local community, often working as tradespeople or merchants who helped shape the economy of the region. Their history reflects the broader patterns of English families who transitioned from simple ancestral naming traditions to becoming recognized members of established urban centers.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Emma
Derived from the Germanic element ermen meaning whole or universal.
This name
EmpsonA patronymic surname signifying son of Emma, reflecting a matronymic origin.
also spelled
Empsonne
Related arms
Emsonvariant spelling
Emsonevariant 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, 1997
Bardsley, Charles Wareing, A Dictionary of English and Welsh Surnames, 1901
Borthwick Institute for Archives, York, Archbishop of York 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
chevronProtection, and faithful service completed
escallopThe pilgrim's shell, and a long journey made
bendDefence, and the scarf of a commander
chevronProtection, and faithful service completed
escallopThe pilgrim's shell, and a long journey made
