Map of England showing where the Helps arms are recorded
The Helps arms were recorded in Clerk, 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 Helps 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 Helps Family in England
The surname Helps is a patronymic name that likely originated as a descriptive nickname or a shortened form of a longer personal name. In the context of the seventeenth century, the name was firmly established in the historic city of York, where records confirm family members were living by 1620. During this era, York was a bustling center of trade and religious life, and families like the Helps were often involved in the local craft guilds or merchant networks that defined the city’s economy. The name itself suggests a lineage rooted in the common folk of Northern England, reflecting a history of community participation rather than noble status. As the family grew, they became part of the social fabric of Yorkshire, contributing to the local workforce and the distinct cultural identity of the region during a time of significant political change in England.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Help
Derived from the Old English word helpan meaning to aid or assist.
This name
HelpsA patronymic or occupational surname denoting a helpful person or a descendant of someone named Help.
also spelled
Helpe
Related arms
Bristowrecorded with Helps, same area
Cranerecorded with Helps, same area
Edmondsrecorded with Helps, same area
Lakerecorded with Helps, same area
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
Borthwick Institute for Archives, York Diocesan Probate Records, 1620
Reaney, P.H., A Dictionary of British Surnames, 1958
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
saltireResolution, and St Andrew's cross
cross symbolChristian faith and service
lionCourage, strength and royalty
saltireResolution, and St Andrew's cross
cross symbolChristian faith and service
lionCourage, strength and royalty
