A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Serman family of England.
Reg. 0760 · English, T–V
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
lionCourage, strength and royalty
hollyTruth, and protection through winter
Colours
Gold (Or)Means: Generosity
Black (Sable)Means: Constancy
Historical info
Source
Sir Bernard Burke, The General Armory of England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales, London: Harrison & Sons, 1884
Blazon (the actual original written record)
“Or, a lion ramp. sa. armed and langued gu. betw. three holly leaves slipped ppr”
GloucesterTredington · Gloucester, c. 1620
Where the Serman Arms Were Recorded
Gloucester
Map of England showing where the Serman arms are recorded
The Serman arms were recorded in Gloucester, c. 1620.
Gloucestershire had good farmland, a cloth trade in its valleys and a river carrying goods to Bristol. All three made money, and money bought the estates that brought arms with them.
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 Serman 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 Gloucester.
Origin & History of the Serman Family in England
The surname Serman has deep roots in England, with historical records confirming that members of the family were established in the city of Gloucester by the year 1620. The name is generally classified as an occupational surname, likely derived from the Middle English word "serman," which was a variant spelling used to describe a person who delivered sermons or acted as a preacher. During the early seventeenth century, Gloucester was a bustling center of trade and religious activity, providing a stable environment for families to settle and grow. As these early ancestors lived and worked in the region, the name became firmly attached to their lineage, reflecting their social or professional status within the local community. Over time, families with this name contributed to the development of the area, leaving behind a legacy that remains tied to the history of Gloucestershire.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Serment
An Old French term referring to a solemn oath or promise.
This name
SermanAn occupational name for someone who administered oaths or a person known for keeping their word.
also spelled
Surmane
Surmann
Surmanne
Surmon
Serman
Documented Sources
Sir Bernard Burke, The General Armory of England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales, London: Harrison & Sons, 1884
Reaney, P.H., A Dictionary of English Surnames, 1958
Bardsley, Charles Wareing, A Dictionary of English and Welsh Surnames, 1901
lionCourage, strength and royalty
hollyTruth, and protection through winter
lionCourage, strength and royalty
hollyTruth, and protection through winter
