A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Jepsen family lines. Documented in 3 countries.
Reg. 2201 · French, J–L
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
fessThe military belt, and readiness to serve
cockCourage, vigilance and readiness for battle
Colours
Blue (Azure)Means: Loyalty and truth
Gold (Or)Means: Generosity
Silver (Argent)Means: Peace and sincerity
Historical info
Source
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Blazon (the actual original written record)
“D'az. à la fasce crén. d'or, acc. de trois têtes et cols de coq d'arg. C.: un avant-bras, en pal, paré d'un palé d'arg. et d'azur, rebr. d'azur, à la bande de gu., br. sur le palé, la main tenant une pensée au nat. D.: VERITAS MAGNA EST.”
DorsetshireDorsetshire, c. 1815
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Map of France showing where the Jepsen arms are recorded
The Jepsen arms were recorded in Dorsetshire, c. 1815.
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 France in this period.
Napoleon
Sovereign of the period
Napoleon
1815–1815
Reigning in France when the Jepsen arms are first recorded.
How Arms Worked in France
In France, a coat of arms was a mark of honor that passed down through the male line to all legitimate descendants. Families often used the same shield without changes to show their shared heritage. If a branch wanted to stand out, they could add a small mark to their shield to show their specific place in the family tree.
Granting authority
The Juge d'armes de France acted as the official authority that regulated and verified coats of arms across the country.
How they got arms
Families typically inherited their arms from ancestors, though they could also receive them through royal grants or by proving their noble status.
Where arms were recorded
Coats of arms were officially recorded in the Armorial Général de France, which began its main collection in the year 1696.
The family's standing
Recorded among the armigerous families of Dorsetshire.
Origin & History of the Jepsen Family in France
The surname Jepsen originates from the Germanic and Scandinavian tradition of patronymics, meaning it was originally a way to identify a person as the son of Jeppe, a common medieval variation of the name Joseph. While the name is deeply rooted in Northern Europe, its presence in France was largely shaped by the movement of people across the English Channel. During the late 18th and early 19th centuries, political instability and shifting borders in Europe caused many families to migrate between coastal regions. By 1815, records confirm that members of the Jepsen family had established roots in Dorsetshire, England, a location that served as a vital gateway for trade and travel between the southern English coast and the northern provinces of France. This proximity suggests that early bearers of the name were likely involved in maritime commerce or cross-channel logistics, acting as a bridge between the cultural spheres of the continent and the British Isles during a period of significant geopolitical change.
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
fessThe military belt, and readiness to serve
cockCourage, vigilance and readiness for battle
Colours
Blue (Azure)Means: Loyalty and truth
Gold (Or)Means: Generosity
Silver (Argent)Means: Peace and sincerity
Historical info
Source
Sir Bernard Burke, The General Armory of England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales, London: Harrison & Sons, 1884
Blazon (the actual original written record)
“Az. a fesse embattled or, betw. three cocks' heads erased ar. wattled gu”
DorsetSpring Vale · Dorset, c. 1620
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Map of England showing where the Jepsen arms are recorded
The Jepsen arms were recorded in Dorset, c. 1620.
Dorset was quiet farming and grazing country along the south coast. Its gentry were middling rather than grand, but they held their manors for a very long time, and long holding is what puts a name in the records.
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 France when the Jepsen 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 Dorset.
Origin & History of the Jepsen Family in England
The family name Jepsen is a patronymic surname, which means it originated as a way to identify a person as the son of a man named Jep or Jeppe. This name is a diminutive form of the name Jeppe, which is a Scandinavian variation of the name Jacob. While the name has deep roots in Northern Europe, members of the Jepsen family were documented as being present in the county of Dorset, England, by 1620. During this period, the movement of people across the North Sea was common due to trade and religious connections between England and the Baltic regions. Families arriving in coastal areas like Dorset often integrated into local agricultural or maritime communities. Over time, the name became established in the English records as these families settled into local life and contributed to the development of their new home.
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
chevronProtection, and faithful service completed
lionCourage, strength and royalty
sunGlory, splendour and the source of life
roundelA coin, and one who has been to the crusades
Colours
Silver (Argent)Means: Peace and sincerity
Red (Gules)Means: Military strength
Gold (Or)Means: Generosity
Historical info
Source
Sir Bernard Burke, The General Armory of England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales, London: Harrison & Sons, 1884
Blazon (the actual original written record)
“Ar. on a chev. betw. three lions' heads erased gu. bezantée the sun in his glory or”
Irelandc. 1605
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Map of Ireland showing where the Jepsen arms are recorded
The Jepsen arms were recorded in Ireland, c. 1605.
Arms such as these were typically recorded in Dublin.
Dublin was the seat of government in Ireland and the place where grants were sought and recorded. Families with business at the castle or the courts settled nearby, and settling there put their arms on record.
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 Ireland in this period.
James VI and I
Sovereign of the period
James VI and I
1603–1625
Reigning in France when the Jepsen arms are first recorded.
How Arms Worked in Ireland
The Ulster King of Arms granted coats of arms to individuals who proved their social standing and good character. These symbols were typically inherited by all legitimate descendants of the original holder. If a family branch wanted a unique look, they could apply for a specific change to their design through the office to ensure their identity remained distinct.
Granting authority
The Ulster King of Arms acted as the official body that regulated and issued all coats of arms throughout Ireland.
How they got arms
Families obtained their arms through formal grants issued by the office after proving their eligibility and paying the required fees.
Where arms were recorded
All official grants were recorded in the registers held by the Ulster King of Arms starting from the year 1552.
The family's standing
Recorded among the armigerous families of Ireland.
Origin & History of the Jepsen Family in Ireland
The Jepsen name traces its roots to the Scandinavian tradition of patronymics, meaning it originated as a way to identify a person as the son of Jeppe, a common variation of the name Jacob. While the name is deeply connected to Danish and Northern European heritage, historical records confirm that members of the family were established in Dublin as early as 1605. During this period, Dublin served as a bustling hub of trade and immigration, attracting merchants and skilled workers from across the North Sea. These early settlers likely integrated into the urban economy of the city, navigating the complex social and political landscape of seventeenth-century Ireland. By maintaining their distinct surname, the family preserved a link to their ancestral origins while simultaneously becoming part of the evolving demographic fabric of the Irish capital.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Ioseph
Hebrew for God will add or God increases.
This name
JepsenA patronymic surname meaning son of Jeppe, a diminutive form of Joseph.
also spelled
Jepson
Jefson
Jepsonn
Documented Sources
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Bardsley, Charles Wareing, A Dictionary of English and Welsh Surnames, 1901
Dorset History Centre, Dorset Parish Registers, 1815
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.
fessThe military belt, and readiness to serve
cockCourage, vigilance and readiness for battle
fessThe military belt, and readiness to serve
cockCourage, vigilance and readiness for battle
chevronProtection, and faithful service completed
lionCourage, strength and royalty
sunGlory, splendour and the source of life
roundelA coin, and one who has been to the crusades
