Map of England showing where the Langmead arms are recorded
The Langmead 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 Langmead 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 Langmead Family in England
The surname Langmead is a topographic name that originated in the southwestern region of England. It is derived from the Old English words "lang," meaning long, and "maed," meaning meadow. This suggests that the earliest ancestors to carry the name likely lived near a long stretch of grassland or a narrow, extended meadow. By the early 17th century, the family was well-established in the county of Devon. Records confirm their presence there by 1620, where they were deeply integrated into the local agricultural and parish life of the region. Over time, the family name became a permanent fixture in Devonshire history, reflecting the deep connection between the people of that era and the specific landscape they inhabited.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
lang + maed
Old English for long and meadow or pasture land.
This name
LangmeadRefers to a person who lived near a long stretch of meadow or pasture.
also spelled
Langmede
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
Gover, J.E.B., Mawer, A., and Stenton, F.M., The Place-Names of Devon, 1931
Devon Heritage Centre, Parish Register Collection for Devon, 1620
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
chiefAuthority, wisdom and dominion
lionCourage, strength and royalty
cinquefoilHope and joy
chiefAuthority, wisdom and dominion
lionCourage, strength and royalty
cinquefoilHope and joy
