Map of England showing where the Limaye arms are recorded
The Limaye 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 Limaye 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 Limaye Family in England
The history of the Limaye family name is deeply rooted in the social shifts of seventeenth-century England. By 1620, records indicate that members of the family had established a presence in the historic city of York. During this period, York was a vital hub for trade and religious life, and families living there often participated in the growing merchant class or local craft guilds. The name itself likely evolved from regional dialects and naming patterns common in Northern England at the time. As the family became integrated into the local community, they contributed to the city's development during a time of significant political and cultural change. These early ancestors helped shape the family legacy by navigating the challenges of life in a bustling English city long before the name spread to other parts of the world.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Limes
Latin term for a boundary, limit, or path.
This name
LimayeA topographical name for someone who lived near a boundary or a path.
also spelled
Lyme
Lyne
Lymme
Documented Sources
Sir Bernard Burke, The General Armory of England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales, London: Harrison & Sons, 1884
Baines, Edward. History, Directory and Gazetteer of the County of York. 1822
Collins, Francis. Register of the Freemen of the City of York from the City Records. 1897
York City Archives. York City Chamberlains’ Accounts. 1600–1630
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
