Map of England showing where the Quash arms are recorded
The Quash arms were recorded in Devon, c. 1620.
Devon was a county of small manors and seafaring families. Its gentry were spread thickly across the countryside, and money made at sea often bought an estate, which in turn brought 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 England in this period.
James VI and I
Sovereign of the period
James VI and I
1603–1625
Reigning in England when the Quash 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 Devon.
Origin & History of the Quash Family in England
The surname Quash is deeply rooted in the historical landscape of Devon, England, where members of the family were firmly established by the early seventeenth century. The name itself is thought to be a variation of the Middle English term "quash," which was sometimes used to describe a person who lived near a marshy or soft piece of land. During the 1600s, the family lived as part of the rural community in the West Country, likely working in agriculture or local trades common to the region. As the family grew, they became integrated into the parish life of Devon, appearing in local church registers that documented their baptisms, marriages, and burials. This presence in Devon suggests that the family was part of the stable, long-standing population that helped shape the local culture and economy of the English countryside for generations.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Quartus
Latin word meaning fourth in order or sequence.
This name
QuashA name historically given to a child born on the fourth day or the fourth child.
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
Devon Archives and Local Studies Service, Parish Registers of Devon, 1620–1700
Bardsley, Charles Wareing, A Dictionary of English and Welsh Surnames, 1901
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
fessThe military belt, and readiness to serve
escallopThe pilgrim's shell, and a long journey made
lionCourage, strength and royalty
fessThe military belt, and readiness to serve
escallopThe pilgrim's shell, and a long journey made
lionCourage, strength and royalty
