Map of England showing where the Montagues arms are recorded
The Montagues 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 Montagues 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 Montagues Family in England
The surname Montague carries a long history that traces back to the arrival of Norman settlers in England following the conquest of 1066. The name itself is derived from the French words for pointed hill, which suggests that the earliest ancestors likely lived near a prominent geographic feature. By the early seventeenth century, members of the family had established a notable presence in the city of York. Records from 1620 confirm that the family was integrated into the urban life of this northern center during a period of significant social and economic transition. As the family settled in York, they became part of the local community, contributing to the growth and daily functions of the city. This move to the north reflects the broader movement of families across England as they sought new opportunities in growing trade hubs.
Montagues Meaning & Related Branches
Root word
Mons acutus
Latin for sharp or pointed mountain.
This name
MontaguesRefers to a person who lived near a pointed hill or mountain.
also spelled
Montacute
Documented Sources
Sir Bernard Burke, The General Armory of England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales, London: Harrison & Sons, 1884
Reaney, P.H. and Wilson, R.M., A Dictionary of English Surnames, 1991
York City Archives, York City Chamberlains' Accounts, 1620
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greyhoundCourage, vigilance and loyalty
greyhoundCourage, vigilance and loyalty
