Map of England showing where the Putnam arms are recorded
The Putnam 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 Putnam 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 Putnam Family in England
The Putnam family name originated in England as a locational surname, derived from a place known as Puttenham in Hertfordshire. The name itself likely comes from the Old English words for a person named Putta and the suffix for a homestead or village. By the early 17th century, members of the family had established themselves in various parts of the country, including the city of York by 1620. During this period, the family was part of the growing movement of English settlers who eventually looked toward the American colonies for new opportunities. Their transition from local landowners and residents in England to early pioneers in the New World reflects the broader social changes occurring in Britain during the reign of King James I.
Putnam Meaning & Related Branches
Root word
Puttenham
A settlement or homestead belonging to a person named Putta.
This name
PutnamDerived from a locational surname referring to a village in Hertfordshire, England.
also spelled
Putnamme
Puttenam
Documented Sources
Sir Bernard Burke, The General Armory of England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales, London: Harrison & Sons, 1884
Evelyn M. Purvis, The Putnam Family of England and America, 1939
Henry E. Waters, Genealogical Gleanings in England, 1901
The National Archives, Prerogative Court of Canterbury and Related Probate Jurisdictions: Will Registers, 1384–1858
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
bendDefence, and the scarf of a commander
cross symbolChristian faith and service
bendDefence, and the scarf of a commander
cross symbolChristian faith and service
