A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Snape family of England.
Reg. 2671 · English, T–V
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
chiefAuthority, wisdom and dominion
portcullisProtection of the household, and the guarded gate
sunGlory, splendour and the source of life
Colours
ErmineMeans: Dignity
Red (Gules)Means: Military strength
Blue (Azure)Means: Loyalty and truth
Gold (Or)Means: Generosity
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. on a chief az. three portcullises ringed and lined or, quartering, 1st, Gu. two bars or, for HARCOURT; 2nd, Az. a sun in splendour or, for ST. CLARE”
OxfordStandlake · Oxford, c. 1566
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Map of England showing where the Snape arms are recorded
The Snape arms were recorded in Oxford, c. 1566.
Oxfordshire was farming country with the university at its centre, and both produced families of standing. Scholars and lawyers who did well bought manors nearby, and holding a manor was the ordinary route to a coat 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 England in this period.
Elizabeth I of England
Sovereign of the period
Elizabeth I of England
1558–1603
Reigning in England when the Snape 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 Oxford.
Origin & History of the Snape Family in England
The surname Snape is a locational name that originated from small settlements in England. The word itself comes from an Old Norse term meaning a boggy piece of land or a pasture. By the mid-sixteenth century, members of the Snape family had established a notable presence in the city of Oxford. Records from 1566 show that individuals bearing this name were active within the local community during a period of significant growth for the university town. These early ancestors likely worked as tradespeople or laborers who helped shape the urban landscape of the region. Over time, the family name spread from these rural roots into the bustling academic and social life of Oxford, marking their place in local history.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
snep
Old Norse term for a boggy piece of land or point.
This name
SnapeA topographic name for someone who lived near a boggy area or a sharp projecting piece of land.
also spelled
Snapper
Documented Sources
Sir Bernard Burke, The General Armory of England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales, London: Harrison & Sons, 1884
Reaney, P.H. and Wilson, R.M., A Dictionary of English Surnames, 1991
Oxfordshire History Centre, Oxford City Council Records: Quarter Sessions and Mayor's Court, 1566
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
chiefAuthority, wisdom and dominion
portcullisProtection of the household, and the guarded gate
sunGlory, splendour and the source of life
chiefAuthority, wisdom and dominion
portcullisProtection of the household, and the guarded gate
sunGlory, splendour and the source of life
