A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Storr family of England.
Reg. 2955 · English, T–V
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
paleMilitary strength, and a fortified defence
cantonA mark of honour granted by the sovereign
cinquefoilHope and joy
Colours
Silver (Argent)Means: Peace and sincerity
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)
“Ar. a pale gu. on a canton az. a cinquefoil or”
Englandc. 1620
Where the Storr Arms Were Recorded
York
Map of England showing where the Storr arms are recorded
The Storr 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 Storr 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 Storr Family in England
The surname Storr is rooted in the Old Norse language, where the word "stórr" meant large, tall, or great. It likely began as a descriptive nickname for a person of impressive physical stature or perhaps someone with a commanding personality. By the time the family was firmly established in York during the early 17th century, the name had become a permanent fixture in the region. Records from 1620 confirm that the Storr family was active in the social and economic life of this historic city. During this era, York was a bustling hub of trade and religious activity, providing a stable environment for families to grow and pass down their names through generations. The transition from a simple descriptive nickname to a formal hereditary surname reflects the way many English families solidified their identities during the late medieval and early modern periods.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
storr
Old Norse word meaning large, strong, or powerful.
This name
StorrA topographic name for someone who lived near a large or prominent piece of land.
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
York City Archives, York City Chamberlains' Accounts, 1620
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paleMilitary strength, and a fortified defence
cantonA mark of honour granted by the sovereign
cinquefoilHope and joy
paleMilitary strength, and a fortified defence
cantonA mark of honour granted by the sovereign
cinquefoilHope and joy
