Map of England showing where the Smallman arms are recorded
The Smallman arms were recorded in Hereford, c. 1588.
Herefordshire lay on the Welsh border, where land was held in return for military service. Families there were expected to arm and to fight, and a fighting household needed a shield it could be known by.
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.
Elizabeth I of England
Sovereign of the period
Elizabeth I of England
1558–1603
Reigning in England when the Smallman 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 Hereford.
Origin & History of the Smallman Family in England
The surname Smallman emerged in England as a descriptive name, likely used to identify a person of modest stature or perhaps someone who served in a subordinate role. By the late 16th century, the family had established a notable presence in the county of Herefordshire. Records from 1588 confirm that members of the Smallman family were active in this region, where they were often involved in local landholding and community affairs. During this period, the family became integrated into the social fabric of the English West Midlands, transitioning from simple laborers or tenants into established local figures. Their history reflects the broader patterns of English life, where surnames evolved from nicknames into permanent family identifiers as families settled in specific parishes and began to appear in official tax and property documents.
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
chevronProtection, and faithful service completed
Colours
ErmineMeans: Dignity
Black (Sable)Means: Constancy
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)
“Erm. three chev. sa”
Irelandc. 1645
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Map of Ireland showing where the Smallman arms are recorded
The Smallman arms were recorded in Ireland, c. 1645.
Arms such as these were typically recorded in Dublin.
Dublin was the seat of government in Ireland and the place where grants were sought and recorded. Families with business at the castle or the courts settled nearby, and settling there put their arms on record.
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.
Charles I of England
Sovereign of the period
Charles I of England
1625–1649
Reigning in England when the Smallman 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 Ireland.
Origin & History of the Smallman Family in Ireland
The history of the Smallman name in Ireland is deeply connected to the social and political shifts of the seventeenth century. While the name likely originated as a descriptive nickname in England, records confirm that members of the family had established a presence in Dublin by 1645. During this period, Dublin was a bustling center of trade and administration, and families like the Smallmans often moved there to participate in the growing urban economy. As the century progressed, the family became part of the complex social fabric of the city, navigating the turbulent years of the Cromwellian era and the subsequent restoration of the monarchy. Their early presence in the capital suggests they were likely involved in the merchant classes or the civil service, which were the primary avenues for families settling in Dublin at that time. By embedding themselves in the city’s records during the mid-1600s, the Smallmans secured a lasting place in the historical narrative of Ireland’s most prominent urban center.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
smal
Old English word meaning little or slender.
This name
SmallmanA descriptive occupational or nickname for a person of small stature.
also spelled
Smallmon
Smalmon
Related arms
Collinrecorded with Smallman, same area
Frodshamrecorded with Smallman, same area
Launderrecorded with Smallman, same area
Sapcottsrecorded with Smallman, same area
Documented Sources
Sir Bernard Burke, The General Armory of England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales, London: Harrison & Sons, 1884
Reaney, P.H., A Dictionary of English Surnames, 1958
Cottle, Basil, The Penguin Dictionary of Surnames, 1967
The National Archives, Probate records of the Prerogative Court of Canterbury, 1588
Herefordshire Archives and Records Centre, Herefordshire Parish Registers, 1588
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
falconOne eager and quick in pursuit
chevronProtection, and faithful service completed
falconOne eager and quick in pursuit
