Map of England showing where the Norris arms are recorded
The Norris arms were recorded in Oxford, c. 1566.
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.
Elizabeth I of England
Sovereign of the period
Elizabeth I of England
1558–1603
Reigning in England when the Norris 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 Norris Family in England
The surname Norris originates from the Middle English word "noreis," which translates to "northerner." During the Middle Ages, this name was typically used as a descriptive label for people who had migrated to England from the northern regions or from Norway. By the time the family established a notable presence in Oxford in 1566, the name had transitioned from a simple nickname into a formal hereditary surname passed down through generations. Families bearing this name often occupied roles as landowners or local officials, integrating themselves into the social fabric of English towns. As the name spread across the country, it became a common fixture in parish registers and legal documents, reflecting the steady growth and movement of the family throughout the sixteenth century.
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
cross symbolChristian faith and service
chiefAuthority, wisdom and dominion
billetThe sealed letter, and a message delivered
fleur de lisPurity, light, and the sixth son
Colours
Silver (Argent)Means: Peace and sincerity
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)
“Ar. a cross betw. four billets sa. on a chief of the second a fleur-de-lis of the first”
DublinLettice · Dublin, c. 1642
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Map of Ireland showing where the Norris arms are recorded
The Norris arms were recorded in Dublin, c. 1642.
Dublin was the seat of government in Ireland and the place where grants were sought and recorded. Families with business at the castle or the courts settled nearby, and settling there put their arms on record.
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.
Charles I of England
Sovereign of the period
Charles I of England
1625–1649
Reigning in England when the Norris 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 Dublin.
Origin & History of the Norris Family in Ireland
The history of the Norris name in Ireland is deeply connected to the movement of people across the Irish Sea during the seventeenth century. While the name has roots in older English and French traditions, its presence in Dublin by 1642 marks a significant period of settlement during a time of great political unrest. Many individuals bearing the name arrived in the capital as part of the administrative and military expansion that defined this era. These early residents were often involved in the growing trade and civic life of a city that served as the primary hub for government activity. Over time, these families integrated into the local community, transitioning from newcomers to established residents who contributed to the evolving social fabric of Dublin. This migration pattern reflects the broader history of families who moved to Ireland to seek new opportunities, eventually rooting their lineage in the local landscape.
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
cross symbolChristian faith and service
billetThe sealed letter, and a message delivered
Colours
Black (Sable)Means: Constancy
Silver (Argent)Means: Peace and sincerity
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)
“Sa. billettée ar. a cross flory of the last”
GlamorganPenlyne · Glamorgan, c. 1647
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 Wales showing where the Norris arms are recorded
The Norris arms were recorded in Glamorgan, c. 1647.
Glamorgan was the richest part of Wales, with good coastal farmland and Norman castles along it. The families who held those castles kept their land for centuries, and long holding brought recorded 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 Wales in this period.
Charles I of England
Sovereign of the period
Charles I of England
1625–1649
Reigning in England when the Norris arms are first recorded.
How Arms Worked in Wales
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 Glamorgan.
Origin & History of the Norris Family in Wales
The family name Norris has deep roots in the historical landscape of Wales, particularly within the county of Glamorgan. By the mid-seventeenth century, the family was firmly established in this region, as evidenced by records from 1647 that place them among the local landholders and community members. The name itself is thought to have originated as a descriptive term for someone who came from the north, likely referring to individuals who migrated from northern England or Scotland into Welsh territories. Over time, these settlers integrated into the local Welsh society, adopting the customs and social structures of the area while maintaining their distinct surname. This transition reflects the broader patterns of migration and cultural blending that defined life in Glamorgan during the seventeenth century, showing how families became part of the local fabric through trade, agriculture, and community involvement.
Norris Meaning & Related Branches
Root word
norð
Old English term meaning north or northern direction.
This name
NorrisDerived from a locative surname for someone who lived in the northern part of a settlement.
also spelled
Norreys
Norries
Norrys
Noris
Norres
Related arms
Spencersimilar arms
Norreysvariant spelling
Norievariant spelling
Norresvariant 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, 1958
Bardsley, Charles Wareing, A Dictionary of English and Welsh Surnames, 1901
Oxfordshire History Centre, Parish Registers of Oxford, 1566
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
mulletThe third son, and a divine quality from above
fretPersuasion, and the net that holds
fessThe military belt, and readiness to serve
mulletThe third son, and a divine quality from above
fretPersuasion, and the net that holds
cross symbolChristian faith and service
chiefAuthority, wisdom and dominion
billetThe sealed letter, and a message delivered
fleur de lisPurity, light, and the sixth son
