Map of Wales showing where the Messam arms are recorded
The Messam arms were recorded in Flint, c. 1647.
Flintshire was small north Welsh country on the Dee estuary, close to Chester. English and Welsh families both held land there, and each holding brought its own claim to 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 Wales in this period.
Charles I of England
Sovereign of the period
Charles I of England
1625–1649
Reigning in Wales when the Messam arms are first recorded.
How Arms Worked in Wales
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 Flint.
Origin & History of the Messam Family in Wales
The family name Messam is rooted in the historical landscape of Flint, Wales, where records confirm the presence of family members as early as 1647. During the seventeenth century, Flint was a growing market town and a vital port on the estuary of the River Dee. Families living in this region often identified themselves through their occupations or their connection to the local land. The name likely evolved from a localized variation of a personal name or a descriptive term used to distinguish members of the community. As the family established their roots in Flint, they became part of the social fabric of a town defined by its proximity to the castle and its role in regional trade. By remaining in this specific area for generations, the early Messams contributed to the long-standing history of the Flintshire region during a time of significant political and social change in Britain.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Messis
Latin term meaning harvest or crop.
This name
MessamAn occupational surname for a harvester or someone who worked during the harvest season.
also spelled
Messhame
Documented Sources
Sir Bernard Burke, The General Armory of England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales, London: Harrison & Sons, 1884
Flintshire Record Office, Parish Registers of Flint (St Mary and St David), 1647
Jones, Arthur, The History of Flint, 1938
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
stagPeace and harmony, and one who will not fight unprovoked
mulletThe third son, and a divine quality from above
stagPeace and harmony, and one who will not fight unprovoked
mulletThe third son, and a divine quality from above
