Map of England showing where the Kite arms are recorded
The Kite arms were recorded in Gloucester, c. 1620.
Gloucestershire had good farmland, a cloth trade in its valleys and a river carrying goods to Bristol. All three made money, and money bought the estates that brought arms with them.
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 Kite 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 Gloucester.
Origin & History of the Kite Family in England
The surname Kite is primarily of English origin and is classified as a nickname surname. In medieval times, people were often given descriptive names based on their physical traits, personality, or behavior. The name Kite likely referred to a person who was swift, sharp-eyed, or perhaps predatory, much like the bird of prey known as the red kite that was common across the English countryside. By the early 17th century, the family had established a notable presence in the city of Gloucester. Records confirm that members of the Kite family were living and working in this region by 1620, where they were integrated into the local community as tradespeople and citizens. This era was a time of significant migration and social change, and the presence of the family in Gloucester suggests they were well-settled in the urban life of the West Country long before the mid-1600s.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Cyta
Old English word referring to a bird of prey.
This name
KiteA nickname for a person considered predatory, sharp-eyed, or swift like the bird.
also spelled
Kyte
Kyt
Kytes
Related arms
Keytsame arms
Kytesimilar arms
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, 1991
Gloucestershire Archives, Gloucester City Council Records: Burgess Rolls and Freemen of the City of Gloucester, 1620
Cottle, Basil, The Penguin Dictionary of Surnames, 1967
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
chevronProtection, and faithful service completed
falconOne eager and quick in pursuit
trefoilPerpetuity, and the Trinity
chevronProtection, and faithful service completed
falconOne eager and quick in pursuit
trefoilPerpetuity, and the Trinity
