A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Jessop family lines. Documented in 2 countries.
Reg. 6447 · Irish, J–L
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
fessThe military belt, and readiness to serve
lionCourage, strength and royalty
Colours
Gold (Or)Means: Generosity
Red (Gules)Means: Military strength
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)
“Or, two bars gu. in chief three leopards' faces of the second; some families of JESSOP, in Ireland, have used, ar. a fesse betw. three leopards' faces gu”
LongfordDoory Hall · Longford, c. 1645
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
Map of Ireland showing where the Jessop arms are recorded
The Jessop arms were recorded in Longford, c. 1645.
Longford was small midland Irish country of bog and grazing. Its landed families were few but held their ground for centuries, and long holding fills a register.
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.
Charles I of England
Sovereign of the period
Charles I of England
1625–1649
Reigning in Ireland when the Jessop 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 Longford.
Origin & History of the Jessop Family in Ireland
The Jessop family established a significant presence in Ireland during the mid-seventeenth century, most notably settling in County Longford around 1645. The family arrived during a period of intense political and social upheaval, eventually securing land and influence in the region through the acquisition of the estate known as Doory Hall. As members of the landed gentry, the Jessops became deeply integrated into the local administration and political life of the county. Over the following generations, they served in various official capacities, including roles as high sheriffs and members of the Irish Parliament. Their history in Longford reflects the broader experiences of families who moved to Ireland during this era to manage estates and participate in the governance of the country. By maintaining their residence at Doory Hall for nearly three centuries, the family became a permanent fixture of the Longford landscape and contributed to the regional development of the Midlands.
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
mountThe ground held, and steadfastness upon it
chiefAuthority, wisdom and dominion
lionCourage, strength and royalty
Colours
Silver (Argent)Means: Peace and sincerity
Red (Gules)Means: Military strength
Green (Vert)Means: Hope
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)
“Jessop, LL.D., of Mount Jessop). Ar. two bars gu. on a chief of the last three leopards' faces of the first. Crest—A cockatrice's head ppr. combed and wattled, wings displ. gu. each charged with a trefoil slipped ar.”
Englandc. 1620
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
Map of England showing where the Jessop arms are recorded
The Jessop 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 Ireland when the Jessop 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 Jessop Family in England
The surname Jessop is a patronymic name, meaning it originated as a way to identify a person by their father’s given name. It is derived from the medieval name Joseph, which evolved through various regional pronunciations and spellings before settling into the form we recognize today. By the early 17th century, the family had established a notable presence in the city of York. During this period, York was a bustling center of trade and religious life in Northern England. Families like the Jessops were often integrated into the local economy, working as merchants, craftsmen, or tradespeople who helped sustain the city’s growth. Because records from the year 1620 show the family living in this historic urban environment, it is clear that they were part of the social fabric of Yorkshire during a time of significant transition in English history.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Ioseph
Hebrew for he will add or God shall add.
This name
JessopAn Anglicized form of the Hebrew name Joseph, often associated with the biblical figure.
also spelled
Jessup
Jessupp
Documented Sources
Sir Bernard Burke, The General Armory of England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales, London: Harrison & Sons, 1884
Burke, Bernard, A Genealogical and Heraldic History of the Landed Gentry of Ireland, 1912
Farrell, James P., History of the County Longford, 1891
National Archives of Ireland, Records of the Prerogative Court of Armagh
National Library of Ireland, The Jessop Papers (Collection List 148)
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
lionCourage, strength and royalty
fessThe military belt, and readiness to serve
lionCourage, strength and royalty
mountThe ground held, and steadfastness upon it
chiefAuthority, wisdom and dominion
