Map of Wales showing where the Messham arms are recorded
The Messham 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 Messham 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 Messham Family in Wales
The surname Messham is deeply rooted in the history of Flint, a town in northeast Wales that served as a significant administrative and military hub. Records confirm that members of the family were well-established in this area by 1647, a period defined by the aftermath of the English Civil War. During the seventeenth century, Flint was a place of strategic importance due to its proximity to the River Dee and its role in regional trade. Families like the Messhams were often involved in the local economy, which relied heavily on lead mining, maritime transport, and the bustling market life of the town. Living in a border region meant that the family likely navigated the complex social and political shifts occurring between Wales and England during this era. Their presence in the official records of the time suggests they were integrated into the local community, contributing to the development of the town as it transitioned through a century of great national change.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Mase
Old English term for a basin or a drinking cup.
This name
MesshamA topographical or occupational name referring to someone who lived near or made drinking vessels.
also spelled
Messhame
Documented Sources
Sir Bernard Burke, The General Armory of England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales, London: Harrison & Sons, 1884
Flintshire Record Office, D/DM/158 (Records of the Flint Borough)
The National Archives, E 179 (Lay Subsidy Rolls for Flintshire)
Ellis, Mary, The History of Flint, 1967
Taylor, A.J., The Welsh Borderland, 1954
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
