Map of England showing where the Prestwich arms are recorded
The Prestwich arms were recorded in Lancaster, c. 1620.
Lancashire was divided among a great many small landed families, more than most northern counties. Estates were passed down whole rather than split up, so the same names hold the same ground for centuries in the records.
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 Prestwich 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 Lancaster.
Origin & History of the Prestwich Family in England
The family name Prestwich originates from a place name in Lancashire, England, specifically referring to the town of Prestwich near Manchester. The name itself is derived from Old English words that translate to a priest’s farm or a priest’s dwelling. This suggests that the earliest ancestors who adopted the name likely lived on or managed land associated with a local church or religious community. By the year 1620, records confirm that members of the Prestwich family were well-established in the Lancashire region. During this period, families often took their surnames from the specific villages or estates where they resided, which helped neighbors and local officials identify them within the growing population of the county. As the family expanded throughout the seventeenth century, they remained deeply connected to the social and agricultural life of Northern England.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Preost-wic
Old English for priest and dwelling or dairy farm.
This name
PrestwichRefers to a settlement or farmstead belonging to a priest or clergy member.
also spelled
Prestwick
Prestwyche
Related arms
Aslack, Aslake, or Aslokerecorded with Prestwich, same area
Bartonrecorded with Prestwich, same area
Jayrecorded with Prestwich, same area
Lathburyrecorded with Prestwich, same area
Documented Sources
Sir Bernard Burke, The General Armory of England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales, London: Harrison & Sons, 1884
Ekwall, Eilert, The Place-Names of Lancashire, 1922
Mills, Anthony David, A Dictionary of British Place Names, 2011
The National Archives, Kew, Lancashire Quarter Sessions Records, QSB/1
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
chevronProtection, and faithful service completed
chiefAuthority, wisdom and dominion
wolfReward from long service and hard work
lionCourage, strength and royalty
fleur de lisPurity, light, and the sixth son
chevronProtection, and faithful service completed
chiefAuthority, wisdom and dominion
wolfReward from long service and hard work
lionCourage, strength and royalty
fleur de lisPurity, light, and the sixth son
