Map of England showing where the Newcomb arms are recorded
The Newcomb arms were recorded in Devon, c. 1620.
Devon was a county of small manors and seafaring families. Its gentry were spread thickly across the countryside, and money made at sea often bought an estate, which in turn brought 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 Newcomb 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 Devon.
Origin & History of the Newcomb Family in England
The Newcomb family name originates from the English countryside, specifically appearing in the records of Devon by the year 1620. The name itself is topographical, meaning it was likely given to someone who lived at a "new combe," which refers to a new valley or a small, sheltered hollow in the landscape. During the early seventeenth century, families in this region were often deeply connected to the agricultural rhythms of the West Country. As the name became established, members of the family were documented in local parish registers, which tracked births, marriages, and deaths within these rural communities. These early ancestors were part of a period of significant social change, as many families began to settle in specific villages and define their identity through their local land and trade. This transition from descriptive nicknames to fixed surnames helped families like the Newcombs establish a lasting presence in English history.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
niwe cumb
Old English for new and valley or hollow.
This name
NewcombRefers to someone who lived in a newly settled valley or hollow.
also spelled
Newcom
Newcome
Newcomen
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
Reaney, P.H., A Dictionary of British Surnames, 1958
Devon Archives and Local Studies Service, Parish Registers of Devon, 1600–1650
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
fessThe military belt, and readiness to serve
escallopThe pilgrim's shell, and a long journey made
fessThe military belt, and readiness to serve
escallopThe pilgrim's shell, and a long journey made
