Map of England showing where the Putter arms are recorded
The Putter 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 Putter 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 Putter Family in England
The surname Putter is rooted in the occupational traditions of medieval England, where names were often derived from the daily tasks performed by a person. The name is widely believed to be an occupational descriptor for someone who worked as a potter, specifically one who shaped clay vessels on a wheel. By the year 1620, historical records confirm that members of the Putter family were well-established in the city of York. During this period, York was a major hub for trade and craftsmanship, providing a stable environment for families to build their livelihoods. As the family settled into the local community, they contributed to the city’s long history of artisan production and urban development. Over the following centuries, the name remained linked to these early roots in Northern England as the family members moved through various trades and social roles.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
puten
Old French word meaning to exert force or thrust.
This name
PutterAn occupational name for someone who worked as a laborer or a person who pushed carts.
also spelled
Puttar
Puttor
Documented Sources
Sir Bernard Burke, The General Armory of England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales, London: Harrison & Sons, 1884
Bardsley, Charles Wareing, A Dictionary of English and Welsh Surnames, 1901
Reaney, P.H., A Dictionary of British Surnames, 1958
Borthwick Institute for Archives, York Diocesan Probate Records, 1620
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
fusilTravail and industry
lozengeHonour and nobility, and the arms of a woman
fusilTravail and industry
lozengeHonour and nobility, and the arms of a woman
