Map of England showing where the Sester arms are recorded
The Sester arms were recorded in Cambridge, c. 1620.
Cambridgeshire was flat, rich farming country with the university at its centre. Fen drainage made new land and new fortunes, and families who gained by it bought manors and took arms to match.
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 Sester 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 Cambridge.
Origin & History of the Sester Family in England
The family name Sester traces its roots to the early seventeenth century, with documented evidence placing members of the family in Cambridge by 1620. During this period, Cambridge was a bustling center of trade and intellectual activity, attracting individuals from various backgrounds who sought new opportunities in a rapidly changing society. The name itself likely originated as a descriptive occupational or topographical identifier, which was a common practice for establishing family identity in early modern Europe. As these early ancestors settled into the academic and commercial landscape of the region, they became part of the foundational fabric of the local community. Their presence in such a historically significant location suggests that the family was integrated into the social and economic life of the era, contributing to the growth and development of the area during a time of great transition.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Sestertius
A Roman silver coin worth two and a half asses.
This name
SesterAn occupational name for a money changer or someone associated with currency.
also spelled
Sewstar
Sewester
Suster
Documented Sources
Sir Bernard Burke, The General Armory of England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales, London: Harrison & Sons, 1884
Anderson, Robert Charles. The Great Migration Begins: Immigrants to New England, 1620-1633. 1995
Cambridge City Archives. Borough of Cambridge Records: Assembly Books. 1600-1650
Reaney, P.H. A Dictionary of British Surnames. 1958
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
chevronProtection, and faithful service completed
boars headA fierce fighter who battles to the end
chevronProtection, and faithful service completed
boars headA fierce fighter who battles to the end
