Map of England showing where the Mussenden arms are recorded
The Mussenden arms were recorded in Lincoln, c. 1620.
Lincolnshire was rich farming country, and its wealth was spread across many middling families. Households of that size 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 Mussenden 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 Lincoln.
Origin & History of the Mussenden Family in England
The surname Mussenden is a locative name, which means it likely originated from a specific place rather than a trade or a personal trait. Historical records confirm that members of the Mussenden family were well-established in the city of Lincoln by the year 1620. During this period, the family was deeply integrated into the local community, often appearing in municipal and parish registers as citizens of standing. The name itself is believed to be linked to the village of Mussenden in the county of Buckinghamshire, suggesting that ancestors of the Lincoln branch migrated from the south to the East Midlands centuries ago. As the family grew, they became active participants in the economic and social life of Lincoln, helping to shape the history of the region during the early seventeenth century.
Mussenden Meaning & Related Branches
Root word
Mousson
Derived from the Old French place name meaning mossy or damp ground.
This name
MussendenA locational surname for someone who originated from a settlement situated on mossy land.
also spelled
Mussendon
Musendon
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
Foster, Charles W., Lincolnshire Wills, 1914
Lincolnshire Archives, Lincoln City Council Records: Assembly Minute Books, 1600–1630
Lincolnshire Archives, Diocese of Lincoln: Bishops' Transcripts of Parish Registers
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
cross symbolChristian faith and service
martletA younger son, who must win his own land
cross symbolChristian faith and service
martletA younger son, who must win his own land
