Map of England showing where the Sampson arms are recorded
The Sampson 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 Sampson 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 Sampson Family in England
The surname Sampson is derived from the ancient Hebrew name Samson, which means "sun child" or "bright sun." It became a popular personal name throughout Europe during the Middle Ages due to its prominence in biblical history. As surnames began to develop in England, families often adopted the name of a patriarch or a respected ancestor to identify their lineage. By the early 17th century, the Sampson family had established a notable presence in the county of Devon. Living in this coastal region, early members of the family were likely involved in the agricultural or maritime trades that defined the local economy of the time. Their documented residency in Devon by 1620 suggests that the family was well-rooted in the social fabric of the West Country long before the period of mass migration to the American colonies.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Shimshon
Hebrew name meaning sun or sunlight.
This name
SampsonDerived from the biblical figure, signifying a person of great strength or sun-like power.
also spelled
Samson
Related arms
Samsonvariant spelling
Meredithrecorded with Sampson, same area
Yeorecorded with Sampson, same area
Yongerecorded with Sampson, same area
Documented Sources
Sir Bernard Burke, The General Armory of England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales, London: Harrison & Sons, 1884
Reaney, P.H. and Wilson, R.M., A Dictionary of English Surnames, 1991
Devon Archives and Local Studies Service, Parish Registers of Devon, 1620
Bardsley, Charles Wareing, A Dictionary of English and Welsh Surnames, 1901
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