Map of England showing where the Melhuish arms are recorded
The Melhuish 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 Melhuish 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 Melhuish Family in England
The family name Melhuish is rooted in the landscape of medieval England, likely originating as a topographic surname for people who lived near a specific type of woodland or clearing. While the name is most strongly associated with the southwestern counties of Devon and Somerset, historical records confirm that members of the family had established a presence in the northern city of York by 1620. During this period, families often moved across the country for trade, religious reasons, or to seek new opportunities in growing urban centers. The presence of the Melhuish name in York suggests that the family was mobile and connected to the wider economic life of seventeenth-century England. Over time, the spelling of the name evolved through various regional dialects, but it remained a distinct identifier for those who carried it through the centuries.
Melhuish Meaning & Related Branches
Root word
Melle-huse
Old English words for honey and house or dwelling.
This name
MelhuishA habitational name referring to a house associated with honey production or a honey merchant.
also spelled
Melhuyshe
Melwish
Melwyshe
Related arms
Holtsame arms
Melvehouse, or Melnehousesame arms
Aylewayrecorded with Melhuish, same area
Cottlerecorded with Melhuish, same area
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, 1991
Bardsley, Charles Wareing, A Dictionary of English and Welsh Surnames, 1901
The National Archives, Parish registers and probate records for the Diocese of York, 1620
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
martletA younger son, who must win his own land
swordJustice, and military honour
martletA younger son, who must win his own land
swordJustice, and military honour
