Map of England showing where the Latter arms are recorded
The Latter 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 England when the Latter 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 Latter Family in England
The surname Latter is rooted in the occupational history of medieval England, likely originating as a descriptive term for a person who worked as a lath-maker or a carpenter. In the era before mass production, a "latter" was a craftsman skilled in splitting wood into thin strips used for building walls or supporting roof tiles. By the early 17th century, the family had established a notable presence in the historic city of York. Records from 1620 confirm that members of the Latter family were active in this northern hub, participating in the local economy and social life of the city during the reign of King James I. As the family grew, they became part of the fabric of York, contributing to the trades and community life that defined this ancient walled city throughout the Stuart period.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
lat
A Middle English term referring to a lath or thin strip of wood.
This name
LatterAn occupational name for a maker or seller of laths used in building construction.
also spelled
Lattar
Latere
Lattre
Documented Sources
Sir Bernard Burke, The General Armory of England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales, London: Harrison & Sons, 1884
Bardsley, Charles Wareing, A Dictionary of English and Welsh Surnames, 1901
Reaney, Percy Hide, A Dictionary of British Surnames, 1958
Borthwick Institute for Archives, York Diocesan Probate Records, 1620
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chiefAuthority, wisdom and dominion
chiefAuthority, wisdom and dominion
