Map of England showing where the Shield arms are recorded
The Shield arms were recorded in Northumberland, c. 1620.
Northumberland was border country facing Scotland, raided and fought over for three hundred years. Families held their land in return for defending it, and a defending household carried a shield.
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 Shield 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 Northumberland.
Origin & History of the Shield Family in England
The surname Shield is rooted in the rugged landscape of Northern England, with deep historical ties to the border region of Northumberland. By the year 1620, families bearing this name were already well-established in the area, likely working as farmers or laborers on the windswept hills near the Scottish border. The name itself is descriptive and likely originated as a topographic identifier for someone who lived near a "shield," which was a common term in the north for a temporary shelter or a small hut used by shepherds during the summer months. Because these families lived in a region frequently affected by border conflicts and shifting political loyalties, they were known for their resilience and strong local connections. Over many generations, the name became a permanent fixture of the Northumberland community, reflecting both the daily work of the people and the unique geography of their northern home.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
scild
Old English term for a protective board or covering.
This name
ShieldAn occupational name for a maker of protective armor or a soldier who carried a shield.
also spelled
Shyeld
Related arms
Sheildvariant spelling
Documented Sources
Sir Bernard Burke, The General Armory of England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales, London: Harrison & Sons, 1884
Bardsley, Charles Wareing, A Dictionary of English and Welsh Surnames, 1901
Reaney, P.H., A Dictionary of British Surnames, 1958
bendDefence, and the scarf of a commander
lionCourage, strength and royalty
escallopThe pilgrim's shell, and a long journey made
bendDefence, and the scarf of a commander
lionCourage, strength and royalty
escallopThe pilgrim's shell, and a long journey made
