Map of England showing where the Neece arms are recorded
The Neece arms were recorded in Oxford, c. 1620.
Oxfordshire was farming country with the university at its centre, and both produced families of standing. Scholars and lawyers who did well bought manors nearby, and holding a manor was the ordinary route to a coat of 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 Neece 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 Oxford.
Origin & History of the Neece Family in England
The family name Neece, often appearing in early records as Neese or Nece, traces its roots to the social landscape of seventeenth-century England. By the year 1620, historical documentation confirms that members of the family were established in the city of Oxford. During this period, Oxford was a vibrant center of academic and trade activity, suggesting that the family likely participated in the local merchant or craft guilds that defined the city’s economy. The name itself is thought to be a variation of older occupational or locational surnames that shifted in spelling as literacy and record-keeping practices evolved. Because the family was present in a major intellectual hub like Oxford, they were likely integrated into the professional life of the region, living through a time of significant religious and political transition in English history.
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
cantonA mark of honour granted by the sovereign
Colours
Silver (Argent)Means: Peace and sincerity
ErmineMeans: Dignity
Black (Sable)Means: Constancy
Historical info
Source
Sir Bernard Burke, The General Armory of England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales, London: Harrison & Sons, 1884
Blazon (the actual original written record)
“Paly of four ar. and sa. a canton erm”
IrelandMunster, c. 1625
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
Map of Ireland showing where the Neece arms are recorded
The Neece arms were recorded in Munster, c. 1625.
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 Ireland in this period.
James VI and I
Sovereign of the period
James VI and I
1603–1625
Reigning in England when the Neece arms are first recorded.
How Arms Worked in Ireland
The Ulster King of Arms granted coats of arms to individuals who proved their social standing and good character. These symbols were typically inherited by all legitimate descendants of the original holder. If a family branch wanted a unique look, they could apply for a specific change to their design through the office to ensure their identity remained distinct.
Granting authority
The Ulster King of Arms acted as the official body that regulated and issued all coats of arms throughout Ireland.
How they got arms
Families obtained their arms through formal grants issued by the office after proving their eligibility and paying the required fees.
Where arms were recorded
All official grants were recorded in the registers held by the Ulster King of Arms starting from the year 1552.
The family's standing
Recorded among the armigerous families of Ireland.
Origin & History of the Neece Family in Ireland
The family name Neece, often appearing in historical records as a variation of the Gaelic name Ó Níos, has deep roots in the province of Munster. By the year 1625, members of this family were already established within the region, living through a period of significant social and political transition in Ireland. During the seventeenth century, families in Munster often lived as tenant farmers or tradespeople, deeply connected to the local landscape and the shifting land ownership patterns of the time. Because the name evolved from an oral tradition, it was frequently recorded phonetically by clerks who were more familiar with English than the native Irish language. This process often led to various spellings in legal documents, yet the presence of the family in Munster remains a consistent thread in regional history. These early ancestors played a quiet but essential role in the agricultural and community life of southern Ireland, helping to shape the cultural fabric of their home counties long before the modern era.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Niece
Derived from the Old French word for a relative or niece.
This name
NeeceA topographic or habitational name for someone who lived near a specific landmark or relative.
also spelled
Newse
Documented Sources
Sir Bernard Burke, The General Armory of England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales, London: Harrison & Sons, 1884
Oxfordshire Archives, Oxford City Council Records: Freemen and Apprenticeship Registers, 1620
Reaney, P.H., A Dictionary of English 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.
wreathHonour, and a victory crowned
wreathHonour, and a victory crowned
cantonA mark of honour granted by the sovereign
