Map of England showing where the Mead arms are recorded
The Mead 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 Canada when the Mead 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 Mead Family in England
The surname Mead is a topographic name that originated in medieval England, serving as a descriptive label for people who lived near a meadow or a stretch of grassland. Because the word was common in the English language, families likely adopted it independently in different regions rather than descending from a single ancestor. By the early seventeenth century, the name was well-established in northern England, specifically within the city of York. Records from 1620 confirm that members of the Mead family were active participants in the social and economic life of this historic city during the reign of King James I. These early individuals were often tradespeople or landowners who helped shape the local community. Over time, the name spread from these regional hubs across the country, eventually becoming a recognized part of the English landscape.
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
chevronProtection, and faithful service completed
pelicanSelf-sacrifice and devotion to one's children
martletA younger son, who must win his own land
Colours
Black (Sable)Means: Constancy
Gold (Or)Means: Generosity
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)
“Sa. on a chev. betw. pelicans vulning themselves or, as many martlets of the field”
DublinProctor · Dublin, c. 1706
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Map of Ireland showing where the Mead arms are recorded
The Mead arms were recorded in Dublin, c. 1706.
Dublin was the seat of government in Ireland and the place where grants were sought and recorded. Families with business at the castle or the courts settled nearby, and settling there put their arms on record.
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 Ireland in this period.
Anne of Great Britain
Sovereign of the period
Anne of Great Britain
1702–1707
Reigning in Canada when the Mead arms are first recorded.
How Arms Worked in Ireland
The Ulster King of Arms granted coats of arms to individuals who proved their social standing and good character. These symbols were typically inherited by all legitimate descendants of the original holder. If a family branch wanted a unique look, they could apply for a specific change to their design through the office to ensure their identity remained distinct.
Granting authority
The Ulster King of Arms acted as the official body that regulated and issued all coats of arms throughout Ireland.
How they got arms
Families obtained their arms through formal grants issued by the office after proving their eligibility and paying the required fees.
Where arms were recorded
All official grants were recorded in the registers held by the Ulster King of Arms starting from the year 1552.
The family's standing
Recorded among the armigerous families of Dublin.
Origin & History of the Mead Family in Ireland
The family name Mead has a long history that is deeply connected to the development of urban life in Ireland. While the name has roots in England, records confirm that members of the Mead family were well-established in Dublin by 1706. During this period, Dublin was a growing center of trade and commerce, and many families with this surname became involved in the city’s professional and merchant classes. The name itself is often linked to the Old English word for a meadow, suggesting that the earliest ancestors were likely people who lived near or worked on grassy fields. As these individuals moved into the bustling environment of eighteenth-century Dublin, they transitioned from rural life into the city's expanding social and economic structures. By settling in the capital, the Mead family became part of the diverse population that helped shape the city during a time of significant architectural and cultural growth.
Mead Meaning & Related Branches
Root word
medu
An Old English term referring to a fermented honey beverage.
This name
MeadA topographic name for someone living near a meadow or a metonymic name for a honey-wine maker.
also spelled
Meed
Meede
Mede
Related arms
Mede, or Meadevariant spelling
Documented Sources
Sir Bernard Burke, The General Armory of England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales, London: Harrison & Sons, 1884
Reaney, P.H., A Dictionary of English Surnames, 1991
Bardsley, Charles Wareing, A Dictionary of English and Welsh Surnames, 1901
Borthwick Institute for Archives, York Diocesan Probate Records
The National Archives, State Papers Domestic, James I
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
pelicanSelf-sacrifice and devotion to one's children
chevronProtection, and faithful service completed
pelicanSelf-sacrifice and devotion to one's children
martletA younger son, who must win his own land
