Map of England showing where the Longstaff arms are recorded
The Longstaff 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 Longstaff 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 Longstaff Family in England
The surname Longstaff is an occupational name that originated in Northern England during the Middle Ages. It was likely given to individuals who carried a long staff as a badge of office, such as a bailiff, a beadle, or a forest guard. By the early 17th century, the family had established a notable presence in the city of York, where records confirm their residence by 1620. During this period, the family members were often involved in the local trade and civic life of the region. As the name spread from its northern roots, it became a marker of families who served in roles that required both authority and physical endurance. The history of the name reflects the transition from descriptive nicknames based on daily work to permanent family identifiers that persisted through generations in Yorkshire and beyond.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Lang-staf
Old English words for long and a wooden rod or pole.
This name
LongstaffA nickname for a tall, thin person or someone who carried a long walking staff.
also spelled
Longstaph
Longstaphe
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, P.H., A Dictionary of British Surnames, 1958
York City Archives, York City Chamberlains' Account Rolls, 1620
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
bendDefence, and the scarf of a commander
chiefAuthority, wisdom and dominion
roundelA coin, and one who has been to the crusades
arms pheon arrowheadReadiness for battle, and the broad arrow of the sovereign
fleur de lisPurity, light, and the sixth son
bendDefence, and the scarf of a commander
chiefAuthority, wisdom and dominion
roundelA coin, and one who has been to the crusades
arms pheon arrowheadReadiness for battle, and the broad arrow of the sovereign
fleur de lisPurity, light, and the sixth son
