Map of England showing where the Murtha arms are recorded
The Murtha arms were recorded in Cornwall, c. 1620.
Cornwall was a county apart, with its own language and its own tight-knit gentry. Tin and the sea made money there, and families who made it bought land, which is what brought arms with it.
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 Murtha 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 Cornwall.
Origin & History of the Murtha Family in England
The surname Murtha is often associated with deep roots in the southwestern region of England, particularly within the county of Cornwall. By the early 17th century, records confirm that members of the family were well-established in this coastal area by 1620. The name likely evolved from regional dialects and local naming customs that were common in the British Isles during the late medieval and early modern periods. Families living in Cornwall at this time were often tied to the land through farming, mining, or maritime trades, which were the primary drivers of the local economy. As the family grew, they became part of the social fabric of their local parishes, leaving behind traces in baptismal and marriage registers that document their steady presence in the region for generations.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Murchadh
Derived from the Gaelic words for sea and warrior or battler.
This name
MurthaAn Anglicized form of an Irish Gaelic name signifying a sea warrior or mariner.
also spelled
Murthie
Murthy
Mirth
Documented Sources
Sir Bernard Burke, The General Armory of England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales, London: Harrison & Sons, 1884
Polsue, Joseph. A Complete Parochial History of the County of Cornwall. 1867
Cornwall Archives. Parish Registers of St. Columb Major. 1620
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
lionCourage, strength and royalty
fleur de lisPurity, light, and the sixth son
lionCourage, strength and royalty
fleur de lisPurity, light, and the sixth son
