Map of England showing where the Olcott arms are recorded
The Olcott 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 Olcott 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 Olcott Family in England
The surname Olcott is rooted in the landscape of Devon, England, where the family was established by the early seventeenth century. The name is topographical in origin, likely derived from Old English terms describing a small cottage or a clearing located in a valley. During the 1600s, families in this region often lived in close-knit agricultural communities where their identity was tied to the specific plot of land they cultivated. By 1620, the Olcott name was already well-integrated into the local parish records of Devon, reflecting a history of stable landholding and community involvement. As the century progressed, members of the family became part of the broader movement of English settlers who sought new opportunities across the Atlantic, carrying their regional heritage and ancestral name into the early colonial records of North America.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Old English 'ald' and 'cot'
Old or ancient combined with a small dwelling or cottage.
This name
OlcottRefers to a person who lived in an old or ancient cottage or small dwelling.
also spelled
Wollcote
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.
paleMilitary strength, and a fortified defence
cross symbolChristian faith and service
martletA younger son, who must win his own land
paleMilitary strength, and a fortified defence
cross symbolChristian faith and service
martletA younger son, who must win his own land
