Map of England showing where the Spence arms are recorded
The Spence 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 Spence 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 Spence Family in England
The surname Spence is an occupational name that originated in medieval England to describe a person who worked as a "dispenser" or "spencer." In the Middle Ages, a spence was a specific room in a large house or monastery where food and supplies were stored and distributed. The person in charge of this room held a position of trust, as they managed the household’s essential provisions. By the early 17th century, the family had established a notable presence in the city of York. Records from 1620 confirm that members of the Spence family were active within this historic northern hub, likely participating in the local trade and civic life that defined the region at the time. Over the centuries, the name evolved from a simple job title into a permanent family identity, reflecting the transition from medieval service roles to settled community life in Northern England.
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
bendDefence, and the scarf of a commander
lionCourage, strength and royalty
escallopThe pilgrim's shell, and a long journey made
Colours
Silver (Argent)Means: Peace and sincerity
Black (Sable)Means: Constancy
Red (Gules)Means: Military strength
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)
“Ar. a lion ramp. gu. debruised by a bend sa. charged with three escallops of the first”
AberdeenBrunstane · Aberdeen, c. 1748
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Map of Scotland showing where the Spence arms are recorded
The Spence arms were recorded in Aberdeen, c. 1748.
Aberdeen was a granite trading town on the north-east coast with farming country behind it. Merchants who prospered bought estates inland, and buying an estate was what brought a family its 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 Scotland in this period.
George II of Great Britain
Sovereign of the period
George II of Great Britain
1727–1760
Reigning in England when the Spence arms are first recorded.
How Arms Worked in Scotland
Scottish heraldry is unique because it treats a coat of arms as a piece of personal property protected by law. Only one person can own a specific design at any given time. When a family grows, the head keeps the original shield while other relatives must apply for their own distinct version with slight changes to prove their specific identity.
Granting authority
The Court of the Lord Lyon acts as the official body that regulates and controls all heraldic matters throughout Scotland.
How they got arms
Individuals obtain a legal right to their arms through a formal petition process that confirms their identity and family connection.
Where arms were recorded
All valid coats of arms are officially entered into the Public Register of All Arms and Bearings starting from 1672.
The family's standing
Recorded among the armigerous families of Aberdeen.
Origin & History of the Spence Family in Scotland
The surname Spence has deep roots in Scotland, where it originated as an occupational name for a person in charge of a "spence," which was a buttery or a pantry in a medieval household. By the mid-eighteenth century, the family had established a notable presence in the city of Aberdeen. Records from 1748 show members of the Spence family living and working in this bustling port city, which was a major center for trade and education at the time. During this era, the Spences were part of the growing urban middle class that helped shape the economic life of northeastern Scotland. As the family settled into the local community, they became integrated into the social and professional fabric of Aberdeen, contributing to the city's development during a period of significant change in Scottish history.
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
fessThe military belt, and readiness to serve
Colours
Black (Sable)Means: Constancy
Silver (Argent)Means: Peace and sincerity
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)
“Sa. a fess embattled and counter-embattled ar”
Irelandc. 1645
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Map of Ireland showing where the Spence arms are recorded
The Spence 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 Spence 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 Spence Family in Ireland
The history of the Spence family in Ireland is deeply connected to the shifting political landscape of the seventeenth century. By 1645, records confirm that members of the family were already established in Dublin, a city that served as a vital center for administration and trade during a period of intense upheaval. The name itself is thought to have originated from the Middle English word spence, which referred to a buttery or a larder in a large house. This suggests that the earliest ancestors were likely individuals who managed the food stores and supplies for noble estates or religious institutions. As these families moved into Ireland, they often integrated into the local merchant classes or administrative roles within the capital. Their presence in Dublin during the mid-1600s places them in the heart of a changing society where families of English and Scottish origin began to weave themselves into the fabric of Irish urban life.
Spence Meaning & Related Branches
Root word
dispensator
A Latin term for a steward or one who distributes goods.
This name
SpenceAn occupational surname for a person who served as a household steward or pantry official.
also spelled
Spens
Spense
Related arms
Spensvariant 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, Percy Hide, A Dictionary of British Surnames, 1958
Borthwick Institute for Archives, York Diocesan Probate Records, 1620
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
bendDefence, and the scarf of a commander
lionCourage, strength and royalty
masclePersuasion and the mail of a knight's coat
bendDefence, and the scarf of a commander
lionCourage, strength and royalty
masclePersuasion and the mail of a knight's coat
escallopThe pilgrim's shell, and a long journey made
fessThe military belt, and readiness to serve
