A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Florence family of England.
Reg. 5511 · English, D–F
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
cross symbolChristian faith and service
Colours
Blue (Azure)Means: Loyalty and truth
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)
“Az. a cross flory ar. (another, or)”
Englandc. 1620
Where the Florence Arms Were Recorded
York
Map of England showing where the Florence arms are recorded
The Florence arms were recorded in England, 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 Florence 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 Florence Family in England
The surname Florence likely originated as a locative name, meaning it was used to identify individuals who had traveled from or lived in the famous Italian city of Florence. By the early 17th century, the name had firmly established itself in England, with records confirming that members of the Florence family were living in York by 1620. During this era, York was a major center for trade and religious administration, making it a common destination for families seeking new opportunities. While the name began as a reference to a distant Mediterranean city, these early residents of York helped integrate the name into the local social fabric of Northern England. Over time, the family name became a permanent fixture in the region, reflecting the movement of people and the evolution of naming customs across Europe.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Florentius
Derived from the Latin word for blooming or flourishing.
This name
FlorenceA locative surname referring to someone from the city of Florence, Italy.
also spelled
Florenz
Florance
Florans
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. and Wilson, R.M., A Dictionary of English Surnames, 1991
The National Archives, York City Archives: House Books, 1620
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cross symbolChristian faith and service
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