Map of England showing where the Payn arms are recorded
The Payn arms were recorded in England, c. 1570.
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.
Elizabeth I of England
Sovereign of the period
Elizabeth I of England
1558–1603
Reigning in England when the Payn 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 Payn Family in England
The surname Payn has deep roots in medieval England, originating as a descriptive nickname derived from the Old French word "paien," which translates to pagan or villager. During the Middle Ages, this name was often given to someone who had traveled to the Holy Land or to individuals who lived outside the influence of the church. By the time members of the family were documented in York in 1570, the name had become firmly established as a hereditary surname passed down through generations. These early residents of York likely lived during a period of significant social transition, as the city served as a vital hub for trade and religious administration in Northern England. The presence of the Payn family in such a prominent urban center suggests they were part of the growing class of merchants or skilled tradespeople who helped define the character of Elizabethan England.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
paganus
Latin term meaning a country dweller or villager.
This name
PaynA medieval nickname for a rustic person or someone from the countryside.
also spelled
Paine
Payen
Pain
Related arms
Gibbonssimilar arms
Painvariant spelling
Painevariant spelling
Payenvariant spelling
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
Bardsley, Charles Wareing, A Dictionary of English and Welsh Surnames, 1901
York City Archives, York City Chamberlains' Account Rolls, 1570
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
cross symbolChristian faith and service
lionCourage, strength and royalty
bendDefence, and the scarf of a commander
cross symbolChristian faith and service
lionCourage, strength and royalty
