A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Epes family of England.
Reg. 0517 · English, D–F
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
fessThe military belt, and readiness to serve
paleMilitary strength, and a fortified defence
eagleNobility, strength and a keen mind
Colours
Red (Gules)Means: Military strength
Gold (Or)Means: Generosity
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 fesse gu. and or, a pale counterchanged, three eagles displ. of the last”
EnglandCanterbury, c. 1620
Where the Epes Arms Were Recorded
York
Map of England showing where the Epes arms are recorded
The Epes arms were recorded in Canterbury, 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 Epes 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 Epes Family in England
The Epes family name traces its roots back to the medieval period in England, where it likely developed as a variation of the name Epps or Eppes. By the early 17th century, the family had established a notable presence in the historic city of York. Records confirm that members of the Epes family were living in this area by 1620, a time when the city served as a major center for trade and regional government. During this era, families with this name were often involved in local commerce and civic life, reflecting the steady growth of the English middle class. As the century progressed, some members of the family sought new opportunities across the Atlantic, carrying their name and heritage into the early colonial settlements of North America. This migration helped the name endure and spread far beyond its original geographic origins in Northern England.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Epp
A Germanic pet form of names beginning with the element ebur.
This name
EpesA patronymic surname meaning son of Epp, derived from the Old English personal name Eppa.
also spelled
Epps
Documented Sources
Sir Bernard Burke, The General Armory of England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales, London: Harrison & Sons, 1884
Bardsley, Charles Wareing, A Dictionary of English and Welsh Surnames, 1901
York City Archives, York City Chamberlains' Accounts, 1620
Reaney, Percy Hide, A Dictionary of British Surnames, 1958
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
paleMilitary strength, and a fortified defence
eagleNobility, strength and a keen mind
fessThe military belt, and readiness to serve
paleMilitary strength, and a fortified defence
eagleNobility, strength and a keen mind
