Map of England showing where the Michelson arms are recorded
The Michelson 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 Michelson 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 Michelson Family in England
The surname Michelson is a patronymic name, which means it was originally formed by adding "son" to the given name Michael. This practice was common in Northern England and Scandinavia, where families identified themselves by the first name of the father. By the year 1620, records indicate that members of the Michelson family were established in the historic city of York. During this period, York was a major center for trade and religious life, and families living there were often involved in the local merchant guilds or the craftsmanship trades that defined the city’s economy. As the family grew, they became part of the social fabric of Yorkshire, contributing to the local community as laborers, tradespeople, and citizens during a time of significant change in English history.
Michelson Meaning & Related Branches
Root word
Michael
Hebrew for who is like God
This name
MichelsonPatronymic surname meaning son of Michael
also spelled
Michalson
Mitchison
Mychelson
Related arms
Michaelsonvariant 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, 1958
Bardsley, Charles Wareing, A Dictionary of English and Welsh Surnames, 1901
Borthwick Institute for Archives, York Diocesan Probate Records
The National Archives, Lay Subsidy Rolls for the County of York
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
sunGlory, splendour and the source of life
sunGlory, splendour and the source of life
