A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Evelyn family of England.
Reg. 2512 · English, D–F
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
chiefAuthority, wisdom and dominion
griffinValour and vigilance, guarding great treasure
Colours
Blue (Azure)Means: Loyalty and truth
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 griffin pass. and a chief or”
SurreyLong Ditton · Surrey, c. 1579
Where the Evelyn Arms Were Recorded
Surrey
Map of England showing where the Evelyn arms are recorded
The Evelyn arms were recorded in Surrey, c. 1579.
Surrey sat just south of London and filled up with families who had made money in the City. Buying an estate there was the usual next step, and an estate was the usual reason to take 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 Evelyn 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 Surrey.
Origin & History of the Evelyn Family in England
The Evelyn family name is deeply rooted in the history of Surrey, England, where the family established a significant presence by the late sixteenth century. Originally, the name is believed to have evolved from the Norman-French name Aveline, which was a common personal name during the Middle Ages. By 1579, members of the family were well-known figures in the region, particularly through their involvement in the lucrative gunpowder and glass-making industries. These early ancestors were industrious and quickly rose in social standing, eventually becoming prominent landowners and influential members of the local community. Their success in these trades helped the family build a lasting legacy that extended far beyond their initial arrival in the county. Through their work and public service, the Evelyns became a fixture of English life, leaving a mark on the landscape and history of Surrey that lasted for generations.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Aveline
Derived from the Germanic element avi meaning desired or wished for.
This name
EvelynA name of English origin meaning desired, wished for, or little bird.
also spelled
Evelin
Eveline
Related arms
Evelin, or Avelinvariant spelling
Amondevillerecorded with Evelyn, same area
Ayrerecorded with Evelyn, same area
Earerecorded with Evelyn, same area
Documented Sources
Sir Bernard Burke, The General Armory of England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales, London: Harrison & Sons, 1884
Evelyn, John, The Diary of John Evelyn, 1818
Surrey History Centre, Evelyn Family of Wotton Estate Records, 1579–1900
Hovenden, Robert, The Visitation of Surrey, made A.D. 1623 by Samuel Thompson, Windsor Herald, and Augustyne Vincent, Rouge Croix Pursuivant, 1899
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
chiefAuthority, wisdom and dominion
griffinValour and vigilance, guarding great treasure
chiefAuthority, wisdom and dominion
griffinValour and vigilance, guarding great treasure
