A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Sebben family of England.
Sir Bernard Burke, The General Armory of England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales, London: Harrison & Sons, 1884
Blazon (the actual original written record)“Az. a file of five points or, in chief”
The Sebben 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.
Reigning in England when the Sebben arms are first recorded.
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.
The surname Sebben is deeply rooted in the historical landscape of Northern England, with documented evidence placing family members in the city of York as early as 1620. During this period, York was a bustling center of trade and religious activity, serving as a hub for families who often worked in skilled crafts or local administration. The name itself likely evolved from regional naming customs, possibly serving as a variation of older Germanic or Old English given names that were passed down through generations. As these early ancestors navigated the social shifts of the seventeenth century, they became part of the local fabric of the city, contributing to the growth of the community during a time of significant transition in English history. By establishing themselves in a major urban center like York, the family gained access to records and social networks that allowed their name to persist through the centuries.
Derived from the Greek word sebastos meaning venerable or revered.
