Map of England showing where the Mort arms are recorded
The Mort arms were recorded in Lancaster, c. 1620.
Lancashire was divided among a great many small landed families, more than most northern counties. Estates were passed down whole rather than split up, so the same names hold the same ground for centuries in the records.
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 Mort 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 Lancaster.
Origin & History of the Mort Family in England
The surname Mort is a locative or descriptive name that traces its roots to the historic county of Lancashire in North West England. By the year 1620, records confirm that families bearing this name were well-established in the region, particularly around the areas of Bolton and Leigh. The name itself is thought to derive from the Old French word "mort," which means dead, though in the context of early surnames, it often functioned as a nickname for a person with a solemn personality or perhaps someone who lived near a stagnant body of water. During the seventeenth century, the Mort family became deeply integrated into the local textile and industrial landscape of Lancashire. They were known as prominent members of the community who contributed to the early development of the region's trade and local governance. Their presence in Lancashire during this era reflects a long history of stability and growth within the English countryside.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
mort
Latin term meaning death or dead.
This name
MortA topographic name for someone who lived near a stagnant body of water or a marshy area.
also spelled
Mourt
Related arms
Chamberlaynerecorded with Mort, same area
Gerardrecorded with Mort, same area
Hastingsrecorded with Mort, same area
Jamesrecorded with Mort, same area
Documented Sources
Sir Bernard Burke, The General Armory of England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales, London: Harrison & Sons, 1884
Bardsley, Charles Wareing, A Dictionary of English and Welsh Surnames, 1901
Lancashire Archives, Bishop's Transcripts for the Diocese of Chester, 1620
Reaney, P.H., A Dictionary of British Surnames, 1958
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
bendDefence, and the scarf of a commander
lozengeHonour and nobility, and the arms of a woman
bendDefence, and the scarf of a commander
lozengeHonour and nobility, and the arms of a woman
