Map of England showing where the English arms are recorded
The English arms were recorded in Lancaster, c. 1620.
Lancashire was divided among a great many small landed families, more than most northern counties. Estates were passed down whole rather than split up, so the same names hold the same ground for centuries in the records.
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 English 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 Lancaster.
Origin & History of the English Family in England
The surname English originated as a descriptive name used to identify individuals who lived in regions where they were considered outsiders. In medieval England, this name was often given to people who had moved from one area to another, specifically those who had traveled from England into areas like Scotland, Ireland, or the borderlands. By the time the family established a presence in Lancaster during the early 17th century, the name had become a permanent fixture of the local population. Families in Lancaster during the 1620s lived through a period of significant social and religious change, and those bearing the name English were part of the hardworking communities that shaped the region. Over time, the name transitioned from a simple label for a traveler into a hereditary family name passed down through generations of residents in the Lancashire area.
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
lionCourage, strength and royalty
starThe celestial goddess, and nobility
Colours
Blue (Azure)Means: Loyalty and truth
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)
“Per pale az. and gu. a lion ramp. or, and in chief three estoiles of six points ar”
DublinDublin, c. 1748
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Map of Scotland showing where the English arms are recorded
The English arms were recorded in Dublin, c. 1748.
Dublin was the seat of government in Ireland and the place where grants were sought and recorded. Families with business at the castle or the courts settled nearby, and settling there put their arms on record.
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 Scotland in this period.
George II of Great Britain
Sovereign of the period
George II of Great Britain
1727–1760
Reigning in England when the English arms are first recorded.
How Arms Worked in Scotland
Scottish heraldry is unique because it treats a coat of arms as a piece of personal property protected by law. Only one person can own a specific design at any given time. When a family grows, the head keeps the original shield while other relatives must apply for their own distinct version with slight changes to prove their specific identity.
Granting authority
The Court of the Lord Lyon acts as the official body that regulates and controls all heraldic matters throughout Scotland.
How they got arms
Individuals obtain a legal right to their arms through a formal petition process that confirms their identity and family connection.
Where arms were recorded
All valid coats of arms are officially entered into the Public Register of All Arms and Bearings starting from 1672.
The family's standing
Recorded among the armigerous families of Dublin.
Origin & History of the English Family in Scotland
The surname English serves as a descriptive name that historically identified individuals who arrived in a region from England. In the context of Scotland, the name often appeared in the Lowlands and border areas where migration between the two kingdoms was frequent. While the name originated as a way to label outsiders, many families bearing it became deeply integrated into Scottish society over several centuries. By the time members of the family were documented in Dublin in 1748, they were part of a larger pattern of movement involving families who had roots in the British Isles and were seeking new opportunities across the Irish Sea. These early ancestors were likely part of a mobile population that moved between Scotland, England, and Ireland for trade, military service, or land settlement. Their presence in mid-eighteenth-century Dublin reflects the interconnected nature of these regions during a time of significant social and economic transition.
English Meaning & Related Branches
Root word
Angli
Refers to the Germanic tribe known as the Angles.
This name
EnglishA locative surname denoting a person who originated from England.
also spelled
Englysh
Inglish
Related arms
Englis, or Englysvariant spelling
Inglishvariant 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
Lancashire Archives, Lancaster Parish Church Baptism, Marriage and Burial Registers, 1600–1650
Bardsley, C.W., English Surnames: Their Sources and Significations, 1875
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
lionCourage, strength and royalty
lionCourage, strength and royalty
starThe celestial goddess, and nobility
