Map of Germany showing where the Pilgrim arms are recorded
The Pilgrim arms were recorded in Prusse orientale, c. 1765.
Arms such as these were typically recorded in Bavaria.
Bavaria was a country of old landed families and walled market towns. Estates passed down the same line for centuries, and both the landowners and the leading townsmen kept arms, which is why so many Bavarian names sit in the registers.
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 Germany in this period.
Francis I, Holy Roman Emperor
Sovereign of the period
Francis I, Holy Roman Emperor
1745–1765
Reigning in Germany when the Pilgrim arms are first recorded.
How Arms Worked in Germany
In the Holy Roman Empire, coats of arms were often granted to individuals by the Emperor or his representatives. These arms were then passed down through the generations to all legitimate descendants of the original holder. Younger branches of a family usually kept the same shield design without needing to change it, as the arms belonged to the entire lineage.
Granting authority
The Holy Roman Emperor held the sole power to grant new coats of arms throughout his vast imperial territories.
How they got arms
Families typically obtained their coats of arms through a formal imperial grant or by proving their noble status to the authorities.
Where arms were recorded
These grants were officially recorded in the Imperial Chancery registers, which began keeping formal records of such honors during the Middle Ages.
The family's standing
Recorded among the armigerous families of Germany.
Origin & History of the Pilgrim Family in Germany
The family name Pilgrim has deep roots in the German-speaking regions of Europe, where it originated as a descriptive term for a traveler or a person on a religious journey. By the middle of the eighteenth century, the name was firmly established in the southern state of Bavaria. Records from 1765 show that members of the family were active participants in the local economy and social life of this region. During this era, many families with this name were likely involved in agriculture or skilled trades, which were the primary ways people supported themselves in rural Bavarian villages. As the name spread through the German states, it often identified individuals who had moved from one town to another, reflecting a history of mobility and transition. This connection to the concept of a journey remains a defining feature of the name, linking the family to the historical movement of people across the German landscape.
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
batonAuthority and office held under the crown
Colours
Gold (Or)Means: Generosity
Black (Sable)Means: Constancy
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)
“Or, three pilgrims' staves sa”
Englandc. 1620
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Map of England showing where the Pilgrim arms are recorded
The Pilgrim 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 Germany when the Pilgrim 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 Pilgrim Family in England
The surname Pilgrim originated in medieval England as a descriptive name for someone who had traveled to a holy site or a religious shrine. During the Middle Ages, people often adopted names based on their occupations, physical traits, or significant life events, and those who completed long journeys to distant cathedrals were frequently referred to by this title. By the early seventeenth century, the family had established a notable presence in the city of York. Records from 1620 confirm that members of the Pilgrim family were living in this historic northern hub, which served as a major center for trade and religious administration. These early ancestors were part of a society that placed great value on movement and faith, and their presence in York suggests they were well-integrated into the local community during a time of significant social change in England.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
peregrinus
A Latin term meaning a foreigner, stranger, or traveler.
This name
PilgrimRefers to a person who travels to a sacred place for religious devotion.
also spelled
Pylgrim
Pilgrym
Pylgrym
Documented Sources
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
bendDefence, and the scarf of a commander
bendDefence, and the scarf of a commander
batonAuthority and office held under the crown
