A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Erle family of England.
Reg. 7322 · English, D–F
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
bordureA difference between branches of one family
escallopThe pilgrim's shell, and a long journey made
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. three escallops and a bordure engr. ar”
SomersetSomerset, c. 1620
Where the Erle Arms Were Recorded
Somerset
Map of England showing where the Erle arms are recorded
The Erle arms were recorded in Somerset, c. 1620.
Somerset was rich farming country with a thick scattering of manor houses. Its gentry were numerous and long-settled, and a settled landed family almost always ended up with 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 Erle 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 Somerset.
Origin & History of the Erle Family in England
The surname Erle is deeply rooted in the English landscape, with historical records confirming that members of the family were established in the county of Somerset by the year 1620. The name itself is believed to be derived from the Old English word eorl, which originally referred to a man of noble birth or a high-ranking warrior. Over many centuries, this title evolved into a descriptive name for individuals who held positions of authority or served in the households of local leaders. By the early seventeenth century, families bearing this name had become well-integrated into the social fabric of the West Country. They lived as landowners and community members during a time of great social change in England. Their presence in Somerset suggests that the family had long-standing ties to the region, contributing to the local agricultural and civic life that defined the area during the Stuart period.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
eorl
Old English term for a nobleman, warrior, or man of rank.
This name
ErleA topographic name for someone who lived near a clearing or a nobleman's estate.
also spelled
Earle
Erll
Earll
Related arms
Earlvariant spelling
Earlevariant spelling
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, Percy Hide, A Dictionary of British Surnames, 1958
Somerset Archives, Quarter Sessions 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.
bordureA difference between branches of one family
escallopThe pilgrim's shell, and a long journey made
bordureA difference between branches of one family
escallopThe pilgrim's shell, and a long journey made
