A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Lovejoy family of England.
Sir Bernard Burke, The General Armory of England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales, London: Harrison & Sons, 1884
Blazon (the actual original written record)“Az. three bars dancettée or”
The Lovejoy arms were recorded in Kent, c. 1620.
Kent sits between London and the short crossing to Europe, and the trade passing through made it wealthy. Merchant families bought land with that money, and it was landowners who took coats of 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.
Reigning in England when the Lovejoy arms are first recorded.
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.
The surname Lovejoy is a descriptive name that likely originated in medieval England as a nickname for a person with a cheerful or pleasant disposition. By the early 17th century, the family had established a notable presence in the county of Kent. Records indicate that members of the family were living in this region by 1620, a time when many families in the area were deeply involved in local agriculture and trade. The name itself reflects the linguistic traditions of the period, where surnames were often derived from personal traits or character observations. As the family grew, they became part of the local social fabric of Kent, contributing to the community life that defined that era of English history.
Old English words for praise or love and a gift.
