Map of England showing where the Larcombe arms are recorded
The Larcombe arms were recorded in Hants, c. 1620.
Hampshire had the naval dockyards at Portsmouth on one side and good farmland on the other. Sea money and land money both bought estates, and an estate was what brought a family its 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 Larcombe 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 Hants.
Origin & History of the Larcombe Family in England
The surname Larcombe is a topographical name, which means it was originally used to describe the specific landscape where a family lived. The name is derived from the Old English words "lar," meaning a clearing or a place where wood was gathered, and "combe," which refers to a small, sheltered valley. By the early 17th century, the family was well-established in the county of Hampshire, as evidenced by records of members living there by 1620. During this period, families with this name were typically involved in rural life, often working as farmers or laborers who settled in the fertile valleys of southern England. The name evolved from these local descriptions, eventually becoming a permanent family identifier as people moved from small villages into larger towns and needed to distinguish themselves from others.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Lark-combe
A small bird and a narrow valley or hollow.
This name
LarcombeA topographical name for someone who lived in a valley frequented by larks.
also spelled
Larcombe
Larcomb
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
mountThe ground held, and steadfastness upon it
treeLife, endurance and deep roots
eagleNobility, strength and a keen mind
mountThe ground held, and steadfastness upon it
treeLife, endurance and deep roots
eagleNobility, strength and a keen mind
