Map of England showing where the Safewright arms are recorded
The Safewright arms were recorded in Worcester, c. 1568.
Worcestershire was orchard and farming country with a scattering of old manors. Its gentry were middling rather than great, but a manor was a manor, and holding one was what brought 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.
Elizabeth I of England
Sovereign of the period
Elizabeth I of England
1558–1603
Reigning in England when the Safewright 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 Worcester.
Origin & History of the Safewright Family in England
The family name Safewright likely originated as an occupational surname during the late medieval period in England. In the sixteenth century, the name described a craftsman who specialized in the construction or repair of secure containers, such as strongboxes or iron-bound chests used to protect valuables. Historical records confirm that members of the Safewright family were established in the city of Worcester by 1568. At that time, Worcester was a bustling center for trade and manufacturing, providing a perfect environment for skilled metalworkers and woodworkers to thrive. As these families settled into the local community, they became part of the growing urban middle class that supported the city's economy through their specialized manual skills. Over generations, the name transitioned from a simple description of a person’s daily work into a permanent family identifier passed down through the centuries.
Safewright Meaning & Related Branches
Root word
saef-wyrhta
Old English for sea or safe and a worker or maker.
This name
SafewrightAn occupational surname for a skilled craftsman who made secure containers or protective items.
also spelled
Seabright
Sebryght
Documented Sources
Sir Bernard Burke, The General Armory of England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales, London: Harrison & Sons, 1884
Worcestershire Archive and Archaeology Service, Worcester City Probate Records, 1568
Dyer, Alan, The City of Worcester in the Sixteenth Century, 1973
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
saltireResolution, and St Andrew's cross
fessThe military belt, and readiness to serve
cinquefoilHope and joy
roundelA coin, and one who has been to the crusades
saltireResolution, and St Andrew's cross
fessThe military belt, and readiness to serve
cinquefoilHope and joy
roundelA coin, and one who has been to the crusades
