A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Sheafe family lines. Documented in 2 countries.
Reg. 8038 · Britain, T–V
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
ermineDignity and rank
wheatsheafPlenty, and the harvest of one's own labour
lionCourage, strength and royalty
mulletThe third son, and a divine quality from above
Colours
Blue (Azure)Means: Loyalty and truth
Gold (Or)Means: Generosity
Silver (Argent)Means: Peace and sincerity
Historical info
Source
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Blazon (the actual original written record)
“D'azur à trois gerbes d'or, rangées en fasce entre deux burèles d'arg., accompagnées en chef de deux têtes de lion d'or semées de mouch. d'herm. de sa. et en p. d'une étoile d'arg. Cq. timbré d'une couronne murale d'arg. C.: un avant-bras, en pal, paré de gu., retr. de sin., la main de carn. tenant une épée d'arg., garnie d'or; le tout embrassé par une branche de laurier et une branche de chêne.”
BritainLondres, c. 1700
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Map of Britain showing where the Sheafe arms are recorded
The Sheafe arms were recorded in Londres, c. 1700.
Arms such as these were typically recorded in Kent.
Kent sits between London and the short crossing to Europe, and the trade passing through made it wealthy. Merchant families bought land with that money, and it was landowners who took coats of 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 Britain in this period.
William III of England
Sovereign of the period
William III of England
1694–1702
Reigning in Britain when the Sheafe arms are first recorded.
How Arms Worked in Britain
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 Britain.
Origin & History of the Sheafe Family in Britain
The surname Sheafe is deeply rooted in the historical landscape of Kent, England, where the family established a notable presence by the early 18th century. The name itself is thought to be topographical or occupational in origin, likely derived from the Old English word "sceaf," which refers to a bundle of grain or a sheaf of corn. This suggests that the earliest ancestors of the family were likely agricultural workers or landowners who lived near fields of harvested crops. By the 1700s, members of the Sheafe family were well-integrated into the local community, often appearing in parish registers as established residents. Their history reflects the broader story of rural English families who built their lives around the cycles of farming and local trade, gradually becoming a recognized part of the social fabric in the southeastern counties of Britain.
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
wheatsheafPlenty, and the harvest of one's own labour
lionCourage, strength and royalty
mulletThe third son, and a divine quality from above
Colours
Blue (Azure)Means: Loyalty and truth
Silver (Argent)Means: Peace and sincerity
Gold (Or)Means: Generosity
Red (Gules)Means: Military strength
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)
“Az. three garbs or, betw. two barrulets ar. in chief two lions' heads erased, in base a mullet of the third”
ClareEdswall · Clare, c. 1813
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Map of Ireland showing where the Sheafe arms are recorded
The Sheafe arms were recorded in Clare, c. 1813.
Clare was rocky western Irish country, poor in farmland but held tightly by a few old families. Land there changed hands rarely, and families who stayed put ended up in the records.
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 Ireland in this period.
George III of Great Britain
Sovereign of the period
George III of Great Britain
1801–1820
Reigning in Britain when the Sheafe arms are first recorded.
How Arms Worked in Ireland
The Ulster King of Arms granted coats of arms to individuals who proved their social standing and good character. These symbols were typically inherited by all legitimate descendants of the original holder. If a family branch wanted a unique look, they could apply for a specific change to their design through the office to ensure their identity remained distinct.
Granting authority
The Ulster King of Arms acted as the official body that regulated and issued all coats of arms throughout Ireland.
How they got arms
Families obtained their arms through formal grants issued by the office after proving their eligibility and paying the required fees.
Where arms were recorded
All official grants were recorded in the registers held by the Ulster King of Arms starting from the year 1552.
The family's standing
Recorded among the armigerous families of Clare.
Origin & History of the Sheafe Family in Ireland
The history of the Sheafe family in Ireland is closely tied to the social and economic landscape of County Clare during the early nineteenth century. While the name likely has roots in older naming traditions, records confirm that family members were established in Clare by 1813. During this period, the region was undergoing significant changes due to agricultural shifts and the influence of land management practices. Families like the Sheafes often lived as tenant farmers or tradespeople, playing a quiet but essential role in the local community. Their presence in the county reflects the broader movement of families who settled into rural Irish life and adapted to the challenges of the era. By maintaining their household in Clare, the early members of the family helped shape the local history of the region through their daily work and their connections to the surrounding parishes.
Sheafe Meaning & Related Branches
Root word
sceaf
Old English word meaning a sheaf of corn or bundle of stalks.
This name
SheafeA topographic name for someone who lived near a field of corn or a bundle of grain.
also spelled
Sheaf
Sheef
Sheefe
Sheff
Documented Sources
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Bardsley, Charles Wareing, A Dictionary of English and Welsh Surnames, 1901
Reaney, P.H., A Dictionary of British Surnames, 1958
Kent Archives, Canterbury Cathedral Archives: Parish Registers of Kent, 1700–1750
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
ermineDignity and rank
wheatsheafPlenty, and the harvest of one's own labour
lionCourage, strength and royalty
mulletThe third son, and a divine quality from above
ermineDignity and rank
wheatsheafPlenty, and the harvest of one's own labour
lionCourage, strength and royalty
mulletThe third son, and a divine quality from above
