Map of England showing where the Sprang arms are recorded
The Sprang 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 Sprang 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 Sprang Family in England
The surname Sprang is rooted in the linguistic traditions of Northern Europe, likely originating as a descriptive nickname for a person who possessed a quick or agile gait. By the early 17th century, the family had established a notable presence in the historic city of York, England. Records from 1620 indicate that members of the Sprang family were integrated into the local community during a period of significant social and economic change in the region. Living in a major hub like York suggests that early ancestors were likely involved in the city's vibrant trade, craft, or mercantile networks. Over time, the name evolved alongside the shifting dialects of the English language, maintaining its distinct identity as families moved and expanded across the British Isles.
Sprang Meaning & Related Branches
Root word
sprang
Past tense of the Old English verb springan meaning to leap.
This name
SprangA topographic name for someone who lived near a spring or a leaping stream.
also spelled
Sprangue
Sprangh
Related arms
Spaynesame arms
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. and Wilson, R.M., A Dictionary of English Surnames, 1991
Borthwick Institute for Archives, York Diocesan Probate Records, 1620
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fessThe military belt, and readiness to serve
greyhoundCourage, vigilance and loyalty
fessThe military belt, and readiness to serve
greyhoundCourage, vigilance and loyalty
