Map of England showing where the Seamster arms are recorded
The Seamster 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 Seamster 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 Seamster Family in England
The family name Seamster likely originated as an occupational surname, derived from the Middle English word "semestre," which referred to a person who earned a living by sewing or tailoring. By the early seventeenth century, the name was established in York, England, where the family lived during a period of significant social and economic change. Records indicate that members of the family were present in the city by 1620, placing them in a major hub of trade and craftsmanship. As York was a center for the textile and clothing industries at the time, it is highly probable that the ancestors of the Seamster family were skilled workers who contributed to the local economy through their expertise in garment production. Over time, as surnames became fixed in legal and parish records, the name transitioned from a description of a person’s daily trade into a permanent family identifier that was passed down through generations.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
seam
To join two pieces of fabric together with stitches.
This name
SeamsterAn occupational surname for a tailor or someone who sews garments.
also spelled
Semost
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
Borthwick Institute for Archives, York Diocesan Probate Records
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stagPeace and harmony, and one who will not fight unprovoked
stagPeace and harmony, and one who will not fight unprovoked
