A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Sutcliffe family of England.
Reg. 4326 · English, T–V
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
mountThe ground held, and steadfastness upon it
chiefAuthority, wisdom and dominion
stagPeace and harmony, and one who will not fight unprovoked
Colours
Silver (Argent)Means: Peace and sincerity
Blue (Azure)Means: Loyalty and truth
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. on a mount in base a hind lodged, holding in the mouth three ears of wheat slipped ppr. on a chief engr. az. a sprig of oak leaved and fructed betw. two garbs or”
LancasterBeech House · Lancaster, c. 1620
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Map of England showing where the Sutcliffe arms are recorded
The Sutcliffe arms were recorded in Lancaster, c. 1620.
Lancashire was divided among a great many small landed families, more than most northern counties. Estates were passed down whole rather than split up, so the same names hold the same ground for centuries in the records.
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 Sutcliffe 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 Lancaster.
Origin & History of the Sutcliffe Family in England
The surname Sutcliffe is a locative name, meaning it originated from a specific place rather than a trade or personal characteristic. It is derived from Old English words that translate to "south cliff," suggesting that the earliest members of the family lived near a prominent southern slope or rocky ridge. By the early 17th century, the family had established a strong presence in the county of Lancaster. During this period, the name was frequently found in parish registers and local legal documents, which recorded the family as part of the growing population in the region. As the family expanded throughout the north of England, they became deeply integrated into the local community, often working in the textile and farming industries that defined the landscape of Lancashire. This early history reflects a family deeply rooted in the geography of their home, with the name itself serving as a permanent marker of the land they first inhabited.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Suth-clif
Old English for south and a steep cliff or slope.
This name
SutcliffeA topographic name for someone who lived by a cliff located to the south.
also spelled
Sutclif
Related arms
Anderdonrecorded with Sutcliffe, 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
Ekwall, Eilert, The Place-Names of Lancashire, 1922
Lancashire Archives, Bishop's Transcripts of Parish Registers, 1620
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
mountThe ground held, and steadfastness upon it
chiefAuthority, wisdom and dominion
stagPeace and harmony, and one who will not fight unprovoked
mountThe ground held, and steadfastness upon it
chiefAuthority, wisdom and dominion
stagPeace and harmony, and one who will not fight unprovoked
