Map of England showing where the Staggs arms are recorded
The Staggs 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 Staggs 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 Staggs Family in England
The surname Staggs is a patronymic name that likely originated as a descriptive nickname for a person who possessed the swiftness, agility, or physical stature of a male deer. During the early seventeenth century, the family established a notable presence in the historic city of York, England. Records from 1620 confirm that members of the Staggs family were integrated into the local community during this period of significant social and economic transition. As residents of a major northern trade hub, these early ancestors were likely involved in the bustling mercantile or craft industries that defined York at the time. Over the following generations, the name evolved through various spellings as families moved across the region, eventually spreading from these northern roots to other parts of the British Isles and beyond.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Stag
A male deer, specifically a red deer over five years old.
This name
StaggsA topographic name for someone who lived near a place frequented by deer or a nickname for a spirited person.
also spelled
Stage
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., A Dictionary of British Surnames, 1958
The National Archives, York City Archives: Chamberlains' Account Rolls, 1620
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
stagPeace and harmony, and one who will not fight unprovoked
chevronProtection, and faithful service completed
stagPeace and harmony, and one who will not fight unprovoked
