Map of England showing where the Swallow arms are recorded
The Swallow arms were recorded in Essex, c. 1620.
Essex lay close enough to London for City money to buy land there. Merchants who prospered moved out to estates within a day's ride, and a new landowner almost always wanted arms to go with the ground.
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 Swallow 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 Essex.
Origin & History of the Swallow Family in England
The surname Swallow is classified as a topographic or nickname-based name that originated in medieval England. It likely began as a descriptive label for an individual who was known for their swift movement or perhaps their resemblance to the bird of the same name. By the early 17th century, the family had established a notable presence in the county of Essex. Records from this period indicate that members of the Swallow family were active participants in the local community, often working as skilled laborers or landowners who contributed to the agricultural development of the region. Their documented presence in Essex by 1620 suggests that they were well-integrated into the social and economic fabric of the English countryside long before the era of mass migration to the Americas.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Swawe
Old English word for the migratory bird species.
This name
SwallowA nickname for a swift person or someone with a cheerful disposition.
also spelled
Swalowe
Related arms
Archerrecorded with Swallow, same area
Kelseyrecorded with Swallow, same area
Knightbridgerecorded with Swallow, same area
Rogersrecorded with Swallow, same area
Documented Sources
Sir Bernard Burke, The General Armory of England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales, London: Harrison & Sons, 1884
Reaney, P.H., A Dictionary of British Surnames, 1958
Essex Record Office, Quarter Sessions Rolls, 1620
Bardsley, Charles Wareing, A Dictionary of English and Welsh Surnames, 1901
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
fessThe military belt, and readiness to serve
chiefAuthority, wisdom and dominion
martletA younger son, who must win his own land
fessThe military belt, and readiness to serve
chiefAuthority, wisdom and dominion
martletA younger son, who must win his own land
