Map of England showing where the Mileham arms are recorded
The Mileham arms were recorded in Norfolk, c. 1620.
Norfolk grew rich on wool and grain, and its wealth was spread among many middling families rather than a few great ones. Households of that kind bought land and took arms, and the county holds a large share of English names.
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 Mileham 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 Norfolk.
Origin & History of the Mileham Family in England
The surname Mileham is a locative name, meaning it originated from a specific place rather than a trade or a personal characteristic. The name is derived from the village of Mileham in the county of Norfolk, England. The name itself comes from the Old English words for a mill and a homestead or enclosure. By the early 17th century, the family was well-established in the Norfolk region, with records confirming their presence there by 1620. During this period, families often took the name of their home village to distinguish themselves as they moved into nearby towns or parishes. Because the village of Mileham was a significant settlement with its own castle ruins dating back to the Norman period, the family name became deeply rooted in the local history and landscape of East Anglia.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Mild-ham
A gentle or pleasant homestead or village settlement.
This name
MilehamDerived from a locational surname referring to a peaceful or mild-mannered settlement.
also spelled
Myleham
Mylehame
Documented Sources
Sir Bernard Burke, The General Armory of England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales, London: Harrison & Sons, 1884
Ekwall, Eilert. The Concise Oxford Dictionary of English Place-names. 1960
Reaney, P.H. A Dictionary of British Surnames. 1958
Norfolk Record Office, Parish Register Transcripts for the Diocese of Norwich
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
fessThe military belt, and readiness to serve
griffinValour and vigilance, guarding great treasure
fessThe military belt, and readiness to serve
griffinValour and vigilance, guarding great treasure
