Map of England showing where the Nott arms are recorded
The Nott arms were recorded in Kent, c. 1363.
Kent sits between London and the short crossing to Europe, and the trade passing through made it wealthy. Merchant families bought land with that money, and it was landowners who took coats 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.
Edward III of England
Sovereign of the period
Edward III of England
1327–1377
Reigning in England when the Nott 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 Kent.
Origin & History of the Nott Family in England
The surname Nott has deep roots in the English county of Kent, where records confirm the family was established by at least 1363. Linguists believe the name originated as a descriptive nickname derived from the Middle English word "not," which meant shorn or bald. During the medieval period, it was common for people to be identified by their physical appearance, so the name likely referred to a man who wore his hair cut very short or who had a shaved head. As the family grew, they became part of the local social fabric in Kent, living as landowners and tradespeople during the late Middle Ages. Over several generations, the name transitioned from a simple personal descriptor into a permanent hereditary surname passed down from parents to their children.
Nott Meaning & Related Branches
Root word
Hnott
Old Norse term meaning bald or shorn.
This name
NottA descriptive nickname for a person with a shaved head or very short hair.
also spelled
Notta
Related arms
Mottesame arms
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, 1997
Hasted, Edward, The History and Topographical Survey of the County of Kent, 1797
The National Archives, Court of Common Pleas: Plea Rolls, CP 40
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
bendDefence, and the scarf of a commander
lionCourage, strength and royalty
martletA younger son, who must win his own land
bendDefence, and the scarf of a commander
lionCourage, strength and royalty
martletA younger son, who must win his own land
