A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Essex family of England.
Reg. 1293 · English, D–F
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
chevronProtection, and faithful service completed
eagleNobility, strength and a keen mind
Colours
Blue (Azure)Means: Loyalty and truth
ErmineMeans: Dignity
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)
“Az. a chev. erm. betw. three eagles displ. or”
Englandc. 1599
Where the Essex Arms Were Recorded
York
Map of England showing where the Essex arms are recorded
The Essex arms were recorded in England, c. 1599.
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.
Elizabeth I of England
Sovereign of the period
Elizabeth I of England
1558–1603
Reigning in England when the Essex 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 Essex Family in England
The surname Essex is a locative name, meaning it was originally adopted by individuals to identify their place of origin as the county of Essex in England. During the medieval period, people often moved away from their home regions to seek work or trade, and they were frequently identified by the name of the place they had left behind. By the time members of the family were recorded living in York in 1599, the name had already transitioned from a geographic descriptor into a hereditary family surname passed down through generations. The presence of the family in York at the end of the sixteenth century suggests they had successfully established themselves in a major northern commercial hub, likely participating in the city's vibrant trade or craft guilds. This migration from the southern county of Essex to the northern city of York highlights the mobility of families during the late Tudor era as they sought new economic opportunities in growing urban centers.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
East Seaxe
Old English term referring to the territory of the East Saxons.
This name
EssexA habitational name derived from the ancient Anglo-Saxon kingdom located in eastern England.
Documented Sources
Sir Bernard Burke, The General Armory of England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales, London: Harrison & Sons, 1884
Reaney, P.H., A Dictionary of English Surnames, 1958
Bardsley, Charles Wareing, A Dictionary of English and Welsh Surnames, 1901
Borthwick Institute for Archives, York, Archbishop of York Diocesan Records
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
eagleNobility, strength and a keen mind
chevronProtection, and faithful service completed
eagleNobility, strength and a keen mind
