A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Ems family of England.
Reg. 7413 · 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 Ems Arms Were Recorded
Cornwall
Map of England showing where the Ems arms are recorded
The Ems 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 Ems 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 Ems Family in England
The family name Ems has deep roots in the rugged landscape of Cornwall, where records confirm members of the family were living as early as 1620. During this period, Cornwall was a hub of mining and maritime trade, which likely shaped the daily lives and occupations of early ancestors. The name itself is thought to be a topographic surname, which means it was often given to people who lived near a specific landmark, such as a river or a valley. Because the region was somewhat isolated from the rest of England by its geography, families in Cornwall often developed strong local ties and distinct traditions. By settling in this coastal area, the early Ems family became part of a resilient community that relied on the land and the sea for survival. Over the centuries, the name persisted as these individuals moved through the changing social and economic landscape of southwestern England.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Emme
A Germanic personal name derived from the element ermen meaning whole.
This name
EmsA patronymic or metronymic surname indicating descent from a person named Emma.
also spelled
Eames
Ems
Emesse
Documented Sources
Sir Bernard Burke, The General Armory of England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales, London: Harrison & Sons, 1884
Polsue, Joseph. A Complete Parochial History of the County of Cornwall. 1867
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
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
