Map of England showing where the Phillimore arms are recorded
The Phillimore 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 Phillimore 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 Phillimore Family in England
The surname Phillimore is a patronymic name that likely evolved from the personal name Philimore, which carries roots linked to the Old English words for "beloved" and "famous." While the family name is often associated with the southern counties of England, historical records confirm that members of the Phillimore family were established in the city of York by 1620. During this period, the family lived in a region defined by its rich medieval history and its role as a northern hub for trade and administration. As the family settled into life in York, they became part of the local social fabric, likely working in the trades or professions common to city dwellers of the seventeenth century. Their presence in such a prominent northern city suggests that the family was mobile and well-integrated into the regional economy during the early modern era.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Fillemore
Derived from the Old English words for son and famous.
This name
PhillimoreA locative or descriptive surname likely meaning the son of the famous one.
also spelled
Phillemore
Phyllymore
Phylimore
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
Borthwick Institute for Archives, York Diocesan Probate Records, 1620
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.