Map of England showing where the Shum arms are recorded
The Shum arms were recorded in England, c. 1620.
Arms such as these were typically recorded in York.
Yorkshire is the largest of the English counties, and it held more gentry families than any other. Land there was split among a great many households rather than a few, so a great many of them carried 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 England in this period.
James VI and I
Sovereign of the period
James VI and I
1603–1625
Reigning in England when the Shum 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 England.
Origin & History of the Shum Family in England
The Shum family name carries a history that reaches back to the early seventeenth century in the historic city of York. Records confirm that members of the family were established residents in this area by 1620, a time when York served as a major northern hub for trade and administration. The name itself is thought to be a variation of older occupational or locational surnames that evolved as families moved into urban centers. During this period, the family likely participated in the local economy of York, which was defined by its bustling markets and its role as a regional center for the Church of England. By settling in such a prominent city, the early Shum family became part of the social fabric of Northern England, living through a transformative era of British history that saw significant changes in both local governance and daily life.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Scuma
Old English term for foam or froth.
This name
ShumA topographic name for someone who lived near a frothy or bubbling stream.
also spelled
Shumme
Documented Sources
Sir Bernard Burke, The General Armory of England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales, London: Harrison & Sons, 1884
Baines, Edward, History, Directory and Gazetteer of the County of York, 1822
Borthwick Institute for Archives, York Diocesan Probate Records, 1620–1650
Palliser, David M., Tudor York, 1979
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
saltireResolution, and St Andrew's cross
lanceKnightly service and the tilt
saltireResolution, and St Andrew's cross
lanceKnightly service and the tilt
