Map of England showing where the Helme arms are recorded
The Helme arms were recorded in Worcester, c. 1620.
Worcestershire was orchard and farming country with a scattering of old manors. Its gentry were middling rather than great, but a manor was a manor, and holding one was what brought 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 Helme 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 Worcester.
Origin & History of the Helme Family in England
The surname Helme is rooted in the Old English language, where it originally functioned as a topographic name for someone who lived near a protective shelter or a shed. By the early seventeenth century, the family had established a notable presence in the city of Worcester, England. Records confirm that members of the Helme family were living in this region by 1620, a time when the city was a bustling center of trade and religious significance. During this period, families often took their names from the specific landscapes they inhabited or the roles they performed within their local communities. As the family grew, they became integrated into the social and economic fabric of Worcester, contributing to the local history of the West Midlands long before the name spread to other parts of the world.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Helm
A protective covering for the head or a helmet.
This name
HelmeA topographic name for someone who lived near a protective shelter or a shed.
also spelled
Hellm
Helmy
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., A Dictionary of British Surnames, 1958
Worcestershire Archive and Archaeology Service, Parish Registers of the City of Worcester, 1620
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
bendDefence, and the scarf of a commander
arms pheon arrowheadReadiness for battle, and the broad arrow of the sovereign
bendDefence, and the scarf of a commander
arms pheon arrowheadReadiness for battle, and the broad arrow of the sovereign
