Map of England showing where the Oxenham arms are recorded
The Oxenham arms were recorded in Devon, c. 1814.
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.
George III of Great Britain
Sovereign of the period
George III of Great Britain
1801–1820
Reigning in England when the Oxenham 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 Oxenham Family in England
The surname Oxenham is a classic example of a locative name, meaning it originated from a specific place rather than a trade or a personal characteristic. The name is derived from the Old English words "oxa," meaning ox, and "ham," meaning a homestead or village. This suggests that the earliest members of the family lived on or managed a farmstead where oxen were kept. The name is deeply rooted in the county of Devon, where the family established a strong presence centuries before the nineteenth century. Historical records confirm that the Oxenham family had deep connections to the South Tawton area of Devon, where they were prominent landowners and local figures. By the time the family appears in detailed records from 1814, they were already well-established members of the Devonshire community, reflecting a long history of agricultural life and local settlement in the English West Country.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Oxen-hamm
Old English words for oxen and a meadow or enclosure.
This name
OxenhamA topographical name referring to a meadow or homestead where oxen were kept.
also spelled
Oxenhamme
Oxenam
Oxinham
Documented Sources
Sir Bernard Burke, The General Armory of England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales, London: Harrison & Sons, 1884
Gover, J.E.B., Mawer, A., and Stenton, F.M., The Place-Names of Devon, 1931
Reaney, P.H., A Dictionary of British Surnames, 1958
The National Archives, Records of the Prerogative Court of Canterbury, PROB 11
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
fessThe military belt, and readiness to serve
mulletThe third son, and a divine quality from above
