Map of England showing where the Tatum arms are recorded
The Tatum 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 Tatum 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 Tatum Family in England
The surname Tatum is believed to have English origins, likely emerging as a locative name derived from a specific place or settlement. Historical records confirm that members of the family were established in the city of York by 1620, where they were integrated into the local community during the early seventeenth century. The name itself is thought to be a variation of Tatham, which refers to a homestead or enclosure belonging to a person named Tata. As families moved throughout England, the spelling often shifted based on regional dialects and the way scribes recorded names in parish registers. By the time the family was documented in York, they were part of a society transitioning through significant social and economic changes. These early ancestors likely worked in trades or agriculture, contributing to the growth of the region before some members eventually sought new opportunities in the American colonies.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Tata
An Old English personal name derived from a Germanic root meaning cheerful.
This name
TatumRefers to the homestead or settlement belonging to a person named Tata.
also spelled
Tatem
Tatome
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
York City Archives, Parish Register Transcripts of York, 1620
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
martletA younger son, who must win his own land
martletA younger son, who must win his own land
