Map of England showing where the Sempere arms are recorded
The Sempere 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 Sempere 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 Sempere Family in England
The family name Sempere is rooted in the linguistic traditions of the Mediterranean, specifically originating from the Catalan and Valencian regions of Spain. The name is derived from the Latin phrase *semper*, which translates to always or forever, and it was often used as a nickname for a person who was steadfast or constant in their character. By the early 17th century, members of the family had migrated from these southern European origins to reach the city of York in England by 1620. This movement was likely driven by the expansion of trade networks and the search for new economic opportunities in Northern Europe during the late Renaissance. As these individuals settled in York, they integrated into the local community, bringing their unique cultural heritage into the social fabric of an English city that was then a major center for commerce and industry.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
semper
Latin term meaning always or at all times.
This name
SempereA locative surname derived from the French town of Saint-Pierre, meaning Saint Peter.
also spelled
Semper
Seympar
Sempere
Documented Sources
Sir Bernard Burke, The General Armory of England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales, London: Harrison & Sons, 1884
Alcover, Antoni M. and Moll, Francesc de B., Diccionari català-valencià-balear, 1962
Bardsley, Charles Wareing, A Dictionary of English and Welsh Surnames, 1901
The National Archives, Kew, State Papers Domestic, James I, 1620
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
bendDefence, and the scarf of a commander
labelThe eldest son, during his father's life
bendDefence, and the scarf of a commander
labelThe eldest son, during his father's life
