A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Lygon family of England.
Reg. 9401 · English, J–L
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
lionCourage, strength and royalty
Colours
Silver (Argent)Means: Peace and sincerity
Red (Gules)Means: Military strength
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)
“Ar. two lions pass. in pale gu”
Englandc. 1620
Where the Lygon Arms Were Recorded
York
Map of England showing where the Lygon arms are recorded
The Lygon 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 Lygon 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 Lygon Family in England
The Lygon family name is deeply rooted in the history of the English landscape, with its origins tied to the ancient county of Worcestershire. By the early seventeenth century, members of the family had established a notable presence in the city of York, where they were active participants in the social and economic life of the region by 1620. The name itself is believed to have evolved from early locative descriptions, reflecting how families were identified by the specific lands they occupied or the communities they served. As the family grew, they became influential figures in local governance and land management, often serving in roles that required strong ties to both the crown and their local neighbors. This transition from regional landowners to established city residents highlights the family's ability to adapt to the changing political climate of early modern England.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Ligon
Derived from the Old French word for a league or alliance.
This name
LygonAn English habitational surname originating from a location in Worcestershire, England.
also spelled
Ligon
Ligone
Related arms
Ligonvariant spelling
Documented Sources
Sir Bernard Burke, The General Armory of England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales, London: Harrison & Sons, 1884
Habington, Thomas. A Survey of Worcestershire. 1895
The National Archives. Records of the Prerogative Court of Canterbury, Will of William Lygon. 1620
York City Archives. House Books of the Corporation of York. 1620
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lionCourage, strength and royalty
lionCourage, strength and royalty
