Map of England showing where the Impey arms are recorded
The Impey arms were recorded in Middlesex, c. 1620.
Middlesex was the county around London, and City money flowed straight into it. Merchants and officials bought estates within reach of the capital, and a new estate brought a coat of arms with it.
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 Impey 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 Middlesex.
Origin & History of the Impey Family in England
The surname Impey is believed to have originated in England as a topographic name, likely describing someone who lived near a young or grafted tree. By the early 17th century, the family had established a notable presence in the county of Middlesex. Records from 1620 confirm that members of the Impey family were living in this region during a period of significant social and economic change. As the family grew, they became integrated into the local community, often appearing in parish registers and legal documents related to land ownership. While the name remained relatively uncommon compared to larger surnames, the Impeys maintained a consistent footprint in the area through their involvement in local trade and agriculture. This early history reflects the typical movement and settlement patterns of families in the London outskirts during the transition into the Stuart era.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Impe
An Old English term referring to a young shoot or graft.
This name
ImpeyA topographical or occupational name for a young person or a gardener.
also spelled
Impie
Impy
Impe
Related arms
Beverrecorded with Impey, same area
Cobbrecorded with Impey, same area
Coryrecorded with Impey, same area
Costomerrecorded with Impey, 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
Reaney, P.H. and Wilson, R.M., A Dictionary of English Surnames, 1991
The National Archives, Prerogative Court of Canterbury and Related Probate Jurisdictions: Will Registers, 1384–1858
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chevronProtection, and faithful service completed
lionCourage, strength and royalty
cinquefoilHope and joy
chevronProtection, and faithful service completed
lionCourage, strength and royalty
cinquefoilHope and joy
