Map of England showing where the Pye arms are recorded
The Pye arms were recorded in Hertford, c. 1620.
Hertfordshire lay just north of London and filled with families who had made money in the City. Buying an estate within a day's ride was the usual next step, and an estate brought arms with it.
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 Pye 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 Hertford.
Origin & History of the Pye Family in England
The surname Pye is an ancient English name that likely originated as a descriptive nickname. In Middle English, the word "pye" referred to the magpie, a bird known for its intelligence and its distinct black and white plumage. It is probable that the name was first given to someone who shared the bird’s talkative nature or perhaps its striking appearance. By the early 17th century, the family had established a firm presence in the town of Hertford. Records from 1620 confirm that members of the Pye family were active participants in the local community during this period. As the family grew, they became deeply integrated into the social and economic life of the region, leaving behind a legacy that has persisted for centuries.
Pye Meaning & Related Branches
Root word
Pica
Latin term for the magpie bird.
This name
PyeA nickname for a person with characteristics resembling a magpie, such as being talkative or thievish.
also spelled
Pey
Pie
Peyo
Related arms
Bennettrecorded with Pye, same area
Findenrecorded with Pye, same area
Documented Sources
Sir Bernard Burke, The General Armory of England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales, London: Harrison & Sons, 1884
Reaney, P.H., A Dictionary of English Surnames, 1958
Hertfordshire Archives and Local Studies, Hertford St Andrew Parish Registers, D/P 49/1/1
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fleur de lisPurity, light, and the sixth son
fleur de lisPurity, light, and the sixth son
