Map of England showing where the Passmore arms are recorded
The Passmore 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 Passmore 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 Passmore Family in England
The surname Passmore is believed to have originated in England as a descriptive name for someone who lived near a specific path or a mountain pass. The name likely evolved from the Old French words "passe" and "mor," which together suggested someone who traveled across a moor or a difficult stretch of land. By the early 17th century, the family had established a notable presence in the historic city of York. Records from 1620 confirm that members of the Passmore family were living and working in this region during a time of significant social change in England. As these families settled into local communities, they became part of the fabric of northern English life, contributing to the growth and development of the city through their various trades and civic activities.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
passer plus mor
Derived from the French words for to pass and moor or marsh.
This name
PassmoreA topographic name for someone who lived near a path or passage through a moorland.
also spelled
Passmer
Passmerr
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
York City Archives, York City Chamberlains' Accounts, 1620
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