A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Esse family of England.
Reg. 8032 · English, D–F
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
chevronProtection, and faithful service completed
mulletThe third son, and a divine quality from above
Colours
Silver (Argent)Means: Peace and sincerity
Black (Sable)Means: Constancy
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)
“Ar. two chev. sa. on each a mullet of the field”
DevonDevon, c. 1620
Where the Esse Arms Were Recorded
Devon
Map of England showing where the Esse arms are recorded
The Esse arms were recorded in Devon, c. 1620.
Devon was a county of small manors and seafaring families. Its gentry were spread thickly across the countryside, and money made at sea often bought an estate, which in turn brought a coat of 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 Esse 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 Devon.
Origin & History of the Esse Family in England
The family name Esse has deep roots in the English county of Devon, where members of the family were firmly established by the early seventeenth century. The name itself is thought to be locative, meaning it likely originated from a specific place or geographical feature in the local landscape. During the 1600s, families in this region were often tied closely to the land and the local parish system, which served as the primary way of recording births, marriages, and deaths. As the family grew, they became part of the social fabric of Devon, participating in the agricultural and community life that defined the West Country during this era. While the spelling of surnames was not standardized at the time, the presence of the Esse name in local records from 1620 highlights a long-standing connection to this specific part of England.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Ash
A type of deciduous tree belonging to the genus Fraxinus.
This name
EsseA topographic name for someone who lived near an ash tree or an ash wood.
Related arms
Asherecorded with Esse, same area
Hatchrecorded with Esse, same area
Documented Sources
Sir Bernard Burke, The General Armory of England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales, London: Harrison & Sons, 1884
Hoskins, W.G., Devon, 1954
Reaney, P.H., A Dictionary of British Surnames, 1958
The National Archives, Parish registers and Bishop's transcripts for the Diocese of Exeter, 1620
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
chevronProtection, and faithful service completed
mulletThe third son, and a divine quality from above
chevronProtection, and faithful service completed
mulletThe third son, and a divine quality from above
