Map of England showing where the Isaac arms are recorded
The Isaac arms were recorded in Devon, c. 1620.
Devon was a county of small manors and seafaring families. Its gentry were spread thickly across the countryside, and money made at sea often bought an estate, which in turn brought a coat of 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 Isaac 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 Devon.
Origin & History of the Isaac Family in England
The surname Isaac originates from the ancient Hebrew given name Yitzhak, which translates to "he will laugh." During the Middle Ages, this name became popular across Europe due to the influence of the Bible and the spread of Christianity. By the time the name became a hereditary surname in England, it was often adopted by families to honor their ancestral roots or religious heritage. Records confirm that the Isaac family had established a notable presence in the county of Devon by 1620. During this period, the family likely lived as part of the local agrarian or merchant classes, contributing to the development of the region's rural economy. As the family grew, they became deeply integrated into the social fabric of the West Country, leaving behind a legacy that spans several centuries of local history.
Isaac Meaning & Related Branches
Root word
Yitzhak
Hebrew for he will laugh or he will rejoice.
This name
IsaacDerived from a biblical patriarch, signifying one who brings laughter or joy.
also spelled
Isaack
Isack
Isak
Related arms
Isackvariant spelling
Ballrecorded with Isaac, same area
Ferrierrecorded with Isaac, same area
Smithrecorded with Isaac, same area
Documented Sources
Sir Bernard Burke, The General Armory of England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales, London: Harrison & Sons, 1884
Reaney, P.H., A Dictionary of English Surnames, 1958
Devon Archives and Local Studies Service, Parish Registers of Devon, 1620
Hanks, Patrick, Dictionary of American Family Names, 2003
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
cross symbolChristian faith and service
cross symbolChristian faith and service
