Map of England showing where the Samano arms are recorded
The Samano 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 Samano 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 Samano Family in England
The surname Samano carries a rich history that traces back to the northern regions of Spain, specifically the province of Cantabria. The name is locative, meaning it was originally derived from the small village of Sámano located near the town of Castro Urdiales. During the early seventeenth century, members of the family began to expand their reach beyond the Iberian Peninsula. Records indicate that individuals bearing the name were present in the city of York by 1620, suggesting that these early ancestors were likely involved in the active trade networks that connected northern Spain with England at the time. These pioneers were part of a growing movement of merchants and travelers who moved across borders, carrying their family identity into new cultural landscapes while maintaining their distinct heritage.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Saman
Derived from the Old French word for a packhorse driver.
This name
SamanoAn occupational surname referring to someone who transported goods using pack animals.
also spelled
Seamon
Documented Sources
Sir Bernard Burke, The General Armory of England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales, London: Harrison & Sons, 1884
García de Cortázar, José Ángel, La historia rural de la Cantabria medieval, 1988
Archivo de la Real Chancillería de Valladolid, Registro de Ejecutorias, 16th–17th centuries
York City Archives, Freemen of the City of York, 1620
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