Map of England showing where the Jane arms are recorded
The Jane 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 Jane 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 Jane Family in England
The name Jane originated as a feminine given name derived from the Old French form of the Hebrew name Yochanan, which means God is gracious. While it is primarily known as a first name today, it became a hereditary surname in England as families began adopting fixed last names during the Middle Ages. By the year 1620, records confirm that members of the Jane family were established in the historic city of York. During this period, York was a major northern hub for trade and administration, suggesting that these early ancestors were likely involved in the local merchant class or the growing civic life of the city. As the family settled into the region, they became part of the social fabric of Yorkshire, contributing to the local community through their trades and daily interactions in a city defined by its deep medieval roots and proximity to the North Sea.
Jane Meaning & Related Branches
Root word
Yochanan
Hebrew for God is gracious
This name
JaneA feminine given name derived from the Hebrew name meaning God is gracious.
also spelled
Jayne
Jaynes
Janns
Related arms
Jannsvariant spelling
Documented Sources
Sir Bernard Burke, The General Armory of England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales, London: Harrison & Sons, 1884
Reaney, P.H. and Wilson, R.M., A Dictionary of English Surnames, 1997
Borthwick Institute for Archives, York Diocesan Probate Records
York City Archives, Freemen of the City of York, 1272–1759
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eagleNobility, strength and a keen mind
eagleNobility, strength and a keen mind
