Map of England showing where the Lim arms are recorded
The Lim 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 Lim 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 Lim Family in England
The surname Lim carries a rich history that spans across different cultures and regions. In the context of English history, records indicate that members of the Lim family were established in the city of York by the year 1620. During the early seventeenth century, York was a bustling center of trade and religious activity, which likely provided a stable environment for families to settle and grow. While the name Lim is often associated with Chinese ancestry, its appearance in northern England suggests that the name may have also emerged independently through local linguistic shifts or as a shortened form of longer English surnames. Families living in York during this period were often involved in the city’s vibrant guild system, which organized the labor of merchants and craftsmen. By tracing these early roots, we see that the Lim family was part of the foundational fabric of York during a time of significant social and political change in England.
Lim Meaning & Related Branches
Root word
Lymme
A place name derived from the Old English word for a stream.
This name
LimA topographic surname for someone who lived near a stream or river.
also spelled
Lyme
Lyne
Lymme
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
York City Archives, York Freemen’s Register, 1272–1759
Reaney, P.H., A Dictionary of British Surnames, 1958
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
lozengeHonour and nobility, and the arms of a woman
lozengeHonour and nobility, and the arms of a woman
