Map of England showing where the Popli arms are recorded
The Popli arms were recorded in York, c. 1620.
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 Popli 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 York.
Origin & History of the Popli Family in England
The history of the Popli family name is deeply rooted in the social fabric of seventeenth-century England, with documented evidence placing early members in the city of York as early as 1620. During this period, York served as a vital northern hub for trade and administration, suggesting that the family likely held a stable position within the local community. While the exact origins of the name remain a subject of historical curiosity, it is common for surnames from this era to have evolved from specific geographic locations, occupations, or descriptive nicknames used to distinguish individuals in growing urban centers. As the family established their roots in Yorkshire, they became part of the long tradition of English families who contributed to the development of local commerce and civic life. By maintaining a presence in such a significant historic city, the early Poplis were witnesses to the shifting political and social landscapes of the Stuart era, marking the beginning of a lineage that has persisted through centuries of change.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Populus
Latin term meaning the people or the public.
This name
PopliA locative or occupational surname derived from a place associated with the common people.
also spelled
Popel
Documented Sources
Sir Bernard Burke, The General Armory of England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales, London: Harrison & Sons, 1884
The National Archives, Kew, Prerogative Court of Canterbury and related Probate Jurisdictions: Will Registers, 1620
Borthwick Institute for Archives, University of York, York Diocesan Probate Records, 1620
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bendDefence, and the scarf of a commander
eagleNobility, strength and a keen mind
bendDefence, and the scarf of a commander
eagleNobility, strength and a keen mind
