Map of England showing where the Plitt arms are recorded
The Plitt arms were recorded in Devon, c. 1587.
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.
Elizabeth I of England
Sovereign of the period
Elizabeth I of England
1558–1603
Reigning in England when the Plitt 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 Plitt Family in England
The family name Plitt has deep roots in the English county of Devon, where records confirm members of the family were living as early as 1587. During this period, the name was likely associated with families living in rural parishes, where individuals were often identified by their trade or their specific location within a village. As the family grew, they became part of the local social fabric, participating in the agricultural and community life that defined the West Country of England. While the name is sometimes linked to later migrations, its presence in Devon during the late sixteenth century suggests that the family was well-established in the region long before the modern era. By maintaining their presence in these local communities, the early Plitts contributed to the long history of families who shaped the development of Devon through their daily work and local connections.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Pliht
Old English term for danger, risk, or a pledge.
This name
PlittA topographic or occupational name likely denoting someone who lived near a dangerous area or a pledge.
Documented Sources
Sir Bernard Burke, The General Armory of England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales, London: Harrison & Sons, 1884
Devon Archives and Local Studies Service, Parish Registers of Devon, 1587
Hoskins, W.G., Devon, 1954
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