Map of England showing where the Margison arms are recorded
The Margison arms were recorded in Sussex, c. 1400.
Sussex had ironworks in its woods and good farmland on its downs. Both made money, and families who made it bought manors, which is what put their names in the heraldic records.
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.
Henry IV of England
Sovereign of the period
Henry IV of England
1399–1413
Reigning in England when the Margison 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 Sussex.
Origin & History of the Margison Family in England
The surname Margison is a patronymic name, which means it originated as a way to identify a person as the son of someone named Marge or Margaret. By the year 1400, records show that families bearing this name were established in the county of Sussex in England. During this period, most people lived in small rural communities where they worked as farmers or skilled laborers. Because surnames were still becoming standardized at this time, the spelling often changed based on how a local clerk heard the name pronounced. The presence of the Margison family in Sussex suggests they were part of the local social fabric during the late Middle Ages, likely contributing to the agricultural and trade life of the region. As the centuries passed, the family name spread from these early roots in southern England to other parts of the country and eventually across the world.
Margison Meaning & Related Branches
Root word
Margaret
Derived from the Greek word margarites meaning pearl.
This name
MargisonA patronymic surname meaning son of Margaret, indicating descent from a female ancestor.
also spelled
Margisson
Documented Sources
Sir Bernard Burke, The General Armory of England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales, London: Harrison & Sons, 1884
Reaney, P.H. and Wilson, R.M., A Dictionary of English Surnames, 1997
The National Archives, Sussex Lay Subsidy Rolls, E 179
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
chiefAuthority, wisdom and dominion
chevronProtection, and faithful service completed
lionCourage, strength and royalty
stagPeace and harmony, and one who will not fight unprovoked
chiefAuthority, wisdom and dominion
chevronProtection, and faithful service completed
lionCourage, strength and royalty
stagPeace and harmony, and one who will not fight unprovoked
