Map of Wales showing where the Pugh arms are recorded
The Pugh arms were recorded in Wales, c. 1647.
Arms such as these were typically recorded in Denbigh.
Denbighshire was north Welsh country of hills and small estates. Land was held by a great many families rather than a few, and each holding brought its own claim to 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 Wales in this period.
Charles I of England
Sovereign of the period
Charles I of England
1625–1649
Reigning in Wales when the Pugh arms are first recorded.
How Arms Worked in Wales
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 Wales.
Origin & History of the Pugh Family in Wales
The surname Pugh is a classic example of a Welsh patronymic name, which means it was formed by shortening a father's given name. It originated from the phrase "ap Hugh," where the word "ap" means "son of." Over time, the "a" was dropped and the "p" merged with the name Hugh to create the single word Pugh. By the mid-seventeenth century, the family had established a notable presence in Denbigh, a historic market town in North Wales. Records from 1647 confirm that members of the family were living in this area during a time of great political unrest in Britain. Because Denbigh was a center for trade and local government, families like the Pughs often played active roles in the community life of the region. This transition from a descriptive phrase to a fixed surname reflects the way many Welsh families adopted permanent last names to help identify their lineage as society became more organized.
Pugh Meaning & Related Branches
Root word
ap Huw
Son of Hugh, derived from the Germanic name Hugo meaning mind or spirit.
This name
PughA patronymic surname originating from Wales meaning son of Hugh.
also spelled
Ap-Hugh
Pue
Pew
Related arms
Ap-Hughvariant spelling
Documented Sources
Sir Bernard Burke, The General Armory of England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales, London: Harrison & Sons, 1884
Morgan, T. J. and Morgan, P., Welsh Surnames, 1985
Rowlands, John and Rowlands, Sheila, The Surnames of Wales, 1996
National Library of Wales, Denbighshire Quarter Sessions Records
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
lionCourage, strength and royalty
fleur de lisPurity, light, and the sixth son
lionCourage, strength and royalty
fleur de lisPurity, light, and the sixth son
