Map of England showing where the Newcombe arms are recorded
The Newcombe 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 Newcombe 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 Newcombe Family in England
The surname Newcombe is a locative name, meaning it was originally used to identify people who lived in a "new combe" or a newly settled valley. The word combe is an ancient term of Celtic origin that describes a deep, narrow valley or a hollow on the side of a hill. By the early 17th century, the family had established a strong presence in the county of Devon in southwest England. This region is famous for its rolling hills and deep valleys, which provided the perfect landscape for the name to emerge. Families living in these rural areas were often farmers or tradespeople who became deeply rooted in their local parishes. By 1620, the Newcombe name was already well-established in Devon records, reflecting a long history of families who defined themselves by the specific geography of their homes.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
neowe cumb
Old English words for new and a valley or hollow.
This name
NewcombeRefers to someone who lived in a newly settled valley or hollow.
also spelled
Newcom
Newcome
Newcomen
Related arms
Newcomvariant spelling
Newcomevariant spelling
Newcomenvariant spelling
Documented Sources
Sir Bernard Burke, The General Armory of England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales, London: Harrison & Sons, 1884
Reaney, P.H., A Dictionary of English Surnames, 1991
Gover, J.E.B., Mawer, A., and Stenton, F.M., The Place-Names of Devon, 1931
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
