Map of England showing where the Stump arms are recorded
The Stump arms were recorded in Wilts, c. 1620.
Wiltshire was sheep country, and wool made money steadily for hundreds of years. Families who made it bought manors on the downs, and holding a manor was the usual reason to take 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 Stump 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 Wilts.
Origin & History of the Stump Family in England
The surname Stump is rooted in the Old English word *stump*, which originally described a tree stump or a person of short, stocky build. During the Middle Ages, names were often adopted based on a person’s physical appearance or their proximity to a specific landmark. By the early 17th century, the family had established a notable presence in the county of Wiltshire, England. Records from 1620 confirm that members of the Stump family were living in this region, where they were often involved in the local wool and cloth trade that defined the area’s economy at the time. As the family grew, they became integrated into the social and professional life of Wiltshire, moving from humble origins into roles that helped shape the local community.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
stump
A truncated or cut-off part of a tree or limb.
This name
StumpA topographic name for someone who lived near a tree stump or a descriptive nickname for a short, stocky person.
Related arms
Harrisrecorded with Stump, same area
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
Wiltshire and Swindon History Centre, Wiltshire Parish Registers and Bishop’s Transcripts
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
griffinValour and vigilance, guarding great treasure
chevronProtection, and faithful service completed
griffinValour and vigilance, guarding great treasure
