Map of England showing where the Montague arms are recorded
The Montague 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 Montague 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 Montague Family in England
The history of the Montague name in England is deeply connected to the movement of people across the landscape during the seventeenth century. While the name has roots that stretch back to the arrival of Norman settlers, its presence in the northern city of York by 1620 highlights the family’s integration into regional trade and civic life. During this period, York was a bustling hub where families often established themselves as merchants or skilled craftsmen. Members of the Montague family likely participated in the local economy, contributing to the growth of the city as it transitioned through the early modern era. By settling in such a significant historical center, these early ancestors helped establish a lasting legacy for the name in Northern England, moving away from their earlier associations with southern estates to build new lives in the vibrant urban environment of Yorkshire.
Montague Meaning & Related Branches
Root word
Mont Acutus
Latin for pointed mountain or sharp hill.
This name
MontagueRefers to someone who lived near a pointed or sharp-peaked mountain.
also spelled
Montacute
Related arms
Montacutevariant spelling
Mountaguevariant spelling
Documented Sources
Sir Bernard Burke, The General Armory of England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales, London: Harrison & Sons, 1884
Hey, David. A History of Yorkshire: County of the White Rose. 2005
Palliser, D.M. Tudor York. 1979
York City Archives, York House Books (B series)
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