Map of England showing where the Prosser arms are recorded
The Prosser 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 Prosser 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 Prosser Family in England
The surname Prosser is a patronymic name that originated in Wales, evolving from the Welsh phrase "ap Rosser," which translates to "son of Rosser." The name Rosser itself is a Welsh variation of the Germanic name Roger, meaning "famous spear." By the early 17th century, families carrying this name had begun to migrate from their Welsh roots into various parts of England. The presence of the Prosser family in York by 1620 suggests that they were part of a broader movement of people seeking new opportunities in growing urban centers during the reign of King James I. As these families settled in northern cities, they often integrated into the local trades and civic life, helping to establish the name as a permanent fixture in English society.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
ap Rosser
A Welsh patronymic prefix meaning son of Rosser.
This name
ProsserDerived from the Welsh personal name Rosser, which is a form of the Germanic name Roger.
also spelled
Prossor
Related arms
Caverecorded with Prosser, same area
Leighrecorded with Prosser, same area
Lovettrecorded with Prosser, same area
Documented Sources
Sir Bernard Burke, The General Armory of England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales, London: Harrison & Sons, 1884
Reaney, P.H. and Wilson, R.M., A Dictionary of English Surnames, 1991
Morgan, T.J. and Morgan, P., Welsh Surnames, 1985
Bardsley, C.W., A Dictionary of English and Welsh Surnames, 1901
York City Archives, York City Chamberlains' Accounts, 1620
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chiefAuthority, wisdom and dominion
wheatsheafPlenty, and the harvest of one's own labour
chiefAuthority, wisdom and dominion
wheatsheafPlenty, and the harvest of one's own labour
