Map of England showing where the Massingham arms are recorded
The Massingham arms were recorded in Norfolk, c. 1620.
Norfolk grew rich on wool and grain, and its wealth was spread among many middling families rather than a few great ones. Households of that kind bought land and took arms, and the county holds a large share of English names.
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 Massingham 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 Norfolk.
Origin & History of the Massingham Family in England
The surname Massingham is a locative name, meaning it was originally taken from a specific place rather than a trade or a personal characteristic. The name originates from the villages of Great Massingham and Little Massingham in the county of Norfolk, England. In Old English, the name likely translates to the home of the people of Mæssa, suggesting that a group of settlers established a community there long before the name became a formal family surname. By the early 17th century, the family was well-established in the Norfolk region, with records confirming their presence there by 1620. During this era, families often adopted the name of their home village to distinguish themselves as they moved between parishes or began to participate in legal and property transactions. This practice helped solidify the name as a permanent identifier for descendants who remained tied to the landscape and history of East Anglia.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Mæssa
An Old English personal name meaning harvest or festival.
This name
MassinghamRefers to the homestead or village belonging to the followers of Mæssa.
also spelled
Massingam
Documented Sources
Sir Bernard Burke, The General Armory of England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales, London: Harrison & Sons, 1884
Ekwall, Eilert. The Concise Oxford Dictionary of English Place-names. 1960
Mills, A.D. A Dictionary of British Place Names. 2011
Norfolk Record Office. Parish registers for Great Massingham and Little Massingham. 1560–1650
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
chevronProtection, and faithful service completed
bordureA difference between branches of one family
martletA younger son, who must win his own land
fleur de lisPurity, light, and the sixth son
roundelA coin, and one who has been to the crusades
chevronProtection, and faithful service completed
bordureA difference between branches of one family
martletA younger son, who must win his own land
fleur de lisPurity, light, and the sixth son
roundelA coin, and one who has been to the crusades
