Map of England showing where the Scrimshaw arms are recorded
The Scrimshaw 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 Scrimshaw 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 Scrimshaw Family in England
The surname Scrimshaw is believed to have originated as a nickname for a skilled fencer or a soldier who was adept with a sword. The name is derived from the Old French word escrimisseur, which translates to a fencing master. By the early 17th century, the family had established a notable presence in the historic city of York. Records from 1620 confirm that members of the Scrimshaw family were living and working within the city walls during this period. As York was a major center for trade and craftsmanship at the time, it is likely that these early ancestors were integrated into the local merchant or artisan classes. Over time, the name evolved from its descriptive origins into a permanent family identifier that persisted through generations of residents in Northern England.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
scrim
To skirmish or fight in a small battle.
This name
ScrimshawAn occupational name for a skilled carver of bone, ivory, or shell.
also spelled
Scrimsher
Scrimshere
Related arms
Scrimshirevariant spelling
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
Bardsley, Charles Wareing, A Dictionary of English and Welsh Surnames, 1901
Borthwick Institute for Archives, York Diocesan Records: Parish Registers of York St. Michael le Belfrey, 1620
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