Map of England showing where the Sheth arms are recorded
The Sheth arms were recorded in Lincoln, c. 1620.
Lincolnshire was rich farming country, and its wealth was spread across many middling families. Households of that size bought land and took arms, and the county holds a large share of English names.
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 Sheth 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 Lincoln.
Origin & History of the Sheth Family in England
The surname Sheth is rooted in the social and economic landscape of seventeenth-century England. Historical records confirm that members of the family were established in Lincoln by 1620, a period when the city served as a vital hub for trade and administration in the East Midlands. The name itself is often associated with the occupational title of a "sheth" or "sheather," which referred to a skilled craftsman who made protective cases for knives, swords, and other bladed tools. As these artisans moved into urban centers like Lincoln, they became integral parts of the local guild system and the growing merchant class. By settling in such a prominent cathedral city, the early Sheth family likely benefited from the stable economy and the bustling marketplace, allowing them to integrate into the civic life of the region during the early Stuart era.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Seth
A Hebrew name meaning appointed or placed.
This name
ShethAn occupational surname for a merchant or a trader in medieval England.
also spelled
Sheathman
Sheth
Documented Sources
Sir Bernard Burke, The General Armory of England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales, London: Harrison & Sons, 1884
Lincolnshire Archives, Lincoln Consistory Court Wills, 1620
Reaney, P.H., A Dictionary of English Surnames, 1958
The National Archives, Lay Subsidy Rolls for the County of Lincoln, 1620
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
fessThe military belt, and readiness to serve
griffinValour and vigilance, guarding great treasure
fessThe military belt, and readiness to serve
griffinValour and vigilance, guarding great treasure
