Map of England showing where the Lime arms are recorded
The Lime 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 Lime 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 Lime Family in England
The family name Lime has deep roots in the historic city of York, where records confirm members of the family were living as early as 1620. During the seventeenth century, York was a bustling center of trade and religion, and families like the Limes often settled near the city walls or along the River Ouse to participate in the local economy. The name itself likely originated as a descriptive label, perhaps referring to a person who lived near a lime kiln or worked with lime, which was a vital material used for building mortar and agriculture in the region. As the family established themselves in the city, they became part of the local fabric of life, navigating the social and economic changes of Northern England during a period of great national transition. By remaining in such a prominent urban hub, the early Limes were positioned to witness the growth of York as it evolved from a medieval stronghold into a modern center of commerce.
Lime Meaning & Related Branches
Root word
Lind
Old English word for the linden or lime tree.
This name
LimeA topographic name for someone who lived near a prominent lime tree.
also spelled
Lyme
Lyne
Lymme
Related arms
Lymme, afterwards Leighvariant spelling
Lynevariant spelling
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
North Yorkshire County Record Office, York City Archives: Parish Registers and Civic Records, 1620
Palliser, David Michael, Tudor York, 1979
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lozengeHonour and nobility, and the arms of a woman
lozengeHonour and nobility, and the arms of a woman
