Map of England showing where the Orme arms are recorded
The Orme arms were recorded in Northampton, c. 1620.
Northamptonshire was grazing and hunting country in the middle of England, thick with manor houses. Its families were numerous and long-settled, and a settled landed family almost always ended up with 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 Orme 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 Northampton.
Origin & History of the Orme Family in England
The surname Orme traces its origins to the Old Norse name Ormr, which translates literally to serpent or dragon. This name was brought to the British Isles by Scandinavian settlers during the Viking Age and eventually became a common personal name in Northern England. By the time the name evolved into a hereditary surname, it was most frequently found in the Midlands and the northern counties. Records confirm that the family was well-established in Northampton by 1620, where they lived as part of the local community during a period of significant social and political change. Throughout these early centuries, the Orme name was carried by farmers, tradespeople, and local officials who helped shape the development of their parishes. The family remained rooted in the English landscape for generations, reflecting the broader migration patterns and linguistic shifts that defined the history of the region.
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
eagleNobility, strength and a keen mind
axeThe execution of military duty
Colours
Blue (Azure)Means: Loyalty and truth
Gold (Or)Means: Generosity
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)
“Az. an eagle displ. betw. three poleaxes erect or”
MayoAbbeytown · Mayo, c. 1645
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 Ireland showing where the Orme arms are recorded
The Orme arms were recorded in Mayo, c. 1645.
Mayo was poor western Irish country of bog and mountain, held by a small number of old families. Land changed hands rarely there, and families who held on appear in the records.
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 Orme 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 Mayo.
Origin & History of the Orme Family in Ireland
The Orme family name has a distinct history in Ireland, particularly within County Mayo, where records confirm their presence by 1645. The name itself is of Old English origin, derived from the Old Norse word for a serpent or dragon, and it likely arrived in Ireland during the period of English expansion and settlement. By the mid-seventeenth century, the Ormes had established themselves as significant landowners in the west of Ireland. They were part of a group of families who integrated into the local social and political landscape during a time of great upheaval. Over the following generations, the family became deeply rooted in the Mayo region, often serving in local administrative roles and managing large estates. Their transition from newcomers to established members of the Irish landed class reflects the complex patterns of migration and land ownership that defined seventeenth-century Ireland.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
ormr
Old Norse word meaning serpent or dragon.
This name
OrmeA nickname for a person thought to resemble a serpent or dragon.
also spelled
Orms
Related arms
Dodwellrecorded with Orme, same area
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
Ekwall, Eilert, The Concise Oxford Dictionary of English Place-names, 1960
Northamptonshire Archives, Parish Register Transcripts of Northampton, 1620
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
chevronProtection, and faithful service completed
escallopThe pilgrim's shell, and a long journey made
chevronProtection, and faithful service completed
escallopThe pilgrim's shell, and a long journey made
eagleNobility, strength and a keen mind
axeThe execution of military duty
