Map of England showing where the Sands arms are recorded
The Sands arms were recorded in London, c. 1620.
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 Sands 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 Sands Family in England
The surname Sands is a topographical name, meaning it was originally given to individuals who lived near sandy soil, dunes, or a riverbank. The name has deep roots in England, particularly in the northern regions and the southern coastal areas, where the landscape often featured these distinct sandy terrains. By the time the family was recorded in London in 1620, the name had already been established for several generations as a common English surname. Families with this name were often involved in trade, agriculture, or local governance, reflecting the typical movement of people toward the capital city during the early seventeenth century. As the family settled into the bustling environment of London, they became part of the growing urban population that would eventually help shape the city's commercial and social history.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Sand
Loose granular particles of disintegrated rock
This name
SandsA topographic name for someone who lived on a sandy tract of land or a sandy shore.
also spelled
Sandes
Sandys
Sandis
Related arms
Sandesvariant spelling
Sandysvariant spelling
Documented Sources
Sir Bernard Burke, The General Armory of England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales, London: Harrison & Sons, 1884
Bardsley, Charles Wareing, A Dictionary of English and Welsh Surnames, 1901
Reaney, P.H., A Dictionary of British Surnames, 1958
The National Archives, State Papers Domestic, James I, 1620
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