A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Epps family of England.
Reg. 2960 · 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 Epps Arms Were Recorded
York
Map of England showing where the Epps arms are recorded
The Epps 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 Epps 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 Epps Family in England
The surname Epps is rooted in the ancient regions of England, where it developed as a patronymic name derived from the personal name Eppe or Eppo. By the early 17th century, members of the Epps family were well-established in the historic city of York. During this period, the family was part of the social fabric of Northern England, living through a time of significant religious and political change. Many individuals bearing this name were skilled tradespeople or landowners who contributed to the local economy of Yorkshire. As the 1620s approached, the family began to expand their reach, with some members eventually participating in the migration to the American colonies. This movement was often driven by a desire for new opportunities and the pursuit of land ownership in the developing settlements across the Atlantic.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Eppe
A medieval pet form of the Germanic name Egbert.
This name
EppsA patronymic surname meaning son of Eppe or son of Egbert.
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
Reaney, P.H., A Dictionary of British Surnames, 1958
The National Archives, State Papers Domestic: James I, 1603–1625
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
