Map of England showing where the Noseworthy arms are recorded
The Noseworthy arms were recorded in England, c. 1620.
Arms such as these were typically recorded in York.
Yorkshire is the largest of the English counties, and it held more gentry families than any other. Land there was split among a great many households rather than a few, so a great many of them carried 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 Noseworthy 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 England.
Origin & History of the Noseworthy Family in England
The surname Noseworthy is rooted in the landscape of medieval England, specifically within the southwestern counties. The name is locative, meaning it was likely derived from a specific place or farmstead known as "Noseworthy." While the exact meaning of the name remains a subject of study, it is generally believed to be a combination of Old English terms describing a geographic feature, such as a headland or a sheltered enclosure. By the early seventeenth century, members of the family had established a presence in the historic city of York. This suggests that the family had moved from their ancestral roots in the southwest to participate in the growing urban and commercial life of northern England. These early settlers in York were part of a period of significant social movement, as families began to branch out from rural manors to seek new opportunities in the nation's developing administrative and trade centers.
Noseworthy Meaning & Related Branches
Root word
Noseworthy
Derived from the Old English words for headland and enclosure.
This name
NoseworthyRefers to a person who lived near a prominent headland or promontory enclosure.
also spelled
Noseworthie
Noseworthi
Noseworthay
Documented Sources
Sir Bernard Burke, The General Armory of England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales, London: Harrison & Sons, 1884
Reaney, P.H. and Wilson, R.M., A Dictionary of English Surnames, 1991
Bardsley, Charles Wareing, A Dictionary of English and Welsh Surnames, 1901
The National Archives, Probate Records of the Prerogative Court of Canterbury, 1620
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pileWell-doing, and a mark of distinction
chevronProtection, and faithful service completed
pileWell-doing, and a mark of distinction
chevronProtection, and faithful service completed
