A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Lumley family of England.
Reg. 3628 · English, J–L
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
fessThe military belt, and readiness to serve
martletA younger son, who must win his own land
parrotEloquence, and travel in distant lands
Colours
Red (Gules)Means: Military strength
Silver (Argent)Means: Peace and sincerity
Historical info
Source
Sir Bernard Burke, The General Armory of England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales, London: Harrison & Sons, 1884
Blazon (the actual original written record)
“Gu. six martlets ar., original arms, and after the marriage of Sir ROBERT DE LUMLEY, temp. Edward II., with LUCIA, sister and co-heir of WILLIAM DE THWENG, Baron Thweng, of Kilton Castle, co. York, the arms of that family, viz., Or, a fess gu. betw. three parrots ppr. collared of the second”
Englandc. 1384
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
Map of England showing where the Lumley arms are recorded
The Lumley arms were recorded in England, c. 1384.
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.
Richard II of England
Sovereign of the period
Richard II of England
1377–1399
Reigning in England when the Lumley 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 Lumley Family in England
The family name Lumley originates from a place name in County Durham, where the family established their ancestral seat at Lumley Castle. By the year 1384, historical records confirm that members of the family were active in York, suggesting that they were expanding their influence beyond their northern roots during the late Middle Ages. The name itself is classified as a locative surname, meaning it was adopted by individuals to identify the specific village or manor from which they hailed. As the family grew in prominence, they became deeply involved in the political and social life of northern England. Their presence in major administrative centers like York highlights their transition from local landowners to figures of wider regional importance. Throughout these early centuries, the family maintained strong ties to their northern heritage while participating in the broader development of English society.
Lumley Meaning & Related Branches
Root word
Lumm
Old English term for a deep pool or a body of water.
This name
LumleyDerived from a place name in Durham meaning a clearing by a deep pool.
also spelled
Lumly
Lumlay
Related arms
Loveleysame arms
Champleyrecorded with Lumley, same area
Malingrecorded with Lumley, same area
O'Reillyrecorded with Lumley, same area
Documented Sources
Sir Bernard Burke, The General Armory of England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales, London: Harrison & Sons, 1884
Surtees, Robert, The History and Antiquities of the County Palatine of Durham, 1816
The National Archives, Calendar of the Patent Rolls, Richard II, 1381–1385
York Minster Archives, Fabric Rolls of York Minster, 1859
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
fessThe military belt, and readiness to serve
martletA younger son, who must win his own land
parrotEloquence, and travel in distant lands
fessThe military belt, and readiness to serve
martletA younger son, who must win his own land
parrotEloquence, and travel in distant lands
