Map of England showing where the Mends arms are recorded
The Mends arms were recorded in Kent, c. 1620.
Kent sits between London and the short crossing to Europe, and the trade passing through made it wealthy. Merchant families bought land with that money, and it was landowners who took coats of 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 Mends 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 Kent.
Origin & History of the Mends Family in England
The family name Mends has deep roots in the county of Kent, where records confirm members of the family were established by the year 1620. During the seventeenth century, Kent served as a vital hub for trade and agriculture, placing the family in a region characterized by its proximity to London and its bustling coastal ports. The name itself is thought to be a variation of medieval occupational or local surnames, often evolving from how individuals were identified in their local parishes. As the family settled into the landscape of Kent, they became part of the local community fabric, likely participating in the agricultural and maritime industries that defined the area. By tracing these early residents, we can see how the Mends family helped shape the social and economic life of southeastern England during a period of significant national change.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Mend
Derived from the Latin word mendum meaning a fault or blemish.
This name
MendsAn occupational or descriptive name for a person who repaired items or corrected flaws.
also spelled
Mundes
Mundis
Documented Sources
Sir Bernard Burke, The General Armory of England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales, London: Harrison & Sons, 1884
Everitt, Alan, The Community of Kent and the Great Rebellion 1640-1660, 1966
Kent Archives, Archdeaconry of Canterbury Wills and Administrations, 1620
Reaney, P.H., A Dictionary of British Surnames, 1958
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
roundelA coin, and one who has been to the crusades
towerGrandeur and solidity, and a stronghold defended
chevronProtection, and faithful service completed
roundelA coin, and one who has been to the crusades
towerGrandeur and solidity, and a stronghold defended
