A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Taylor family lines. Documented in 3 countries.
Reg. 9138 · English, T–V
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
chiefAuthority, wisdom and dominion
chevronProtection, and faithful service completed
boars headA fierce fighter who battles to the end
greyhoundCourage, vigilance and loyalty
Colours
Silver (Argent)Means: Peace and sincerity
Black (Sable)Means: Constancy
ErmineMeans: Dignity
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)
“Quarterly, 1st and 4th, ar. on a chief sa. two boars' heads couped of the first, for TAYLOR; 2nd and 3rd, sa. a chev. erm. betw. three greyhounds pass. ar., for ADAM”
KentTurnham · Kent, c. 1587
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Map of England showing where the Taylor arms are recorded
The Taylor arms were recorded in Kent, c. 1587.
Kent sits between London and the short crossing to Europe, and the trade passing through made it wealthy. Merchant families bought land with that money, and it was landowners who took coats of 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.
Elizabeth I of England
Sovereign of the period
Elizabeth I of England
1558–1603
Reigning in England when the Taylor 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 Kent.
Origin & History of the Taylor Family in England
The surname Taylor is an occupational name that emerged in England during the Middle Ages to identify individuals who worked as tailors. As the practice of using hereditary surnames became common, people took the name based on the trade they performed to provide clothing for their local communities. By the late 16th century, the name was well-established across various English counties, including a documented presence in Kent by 1587. During this period, families with this name were often integrated into the social and economic fabric of rural parishes, working as skilled craftsmen who played a vital role in everyday life. Because the name was tied to a common profession rather than a specific geographic location, it spread rapidly as families moved for work and trade. This transition from a simple job description to a permanent family name reflects the broader evolution of English naming customs during the transition from the medieval era to the early modern period.
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
chiefAuthority, wisdom and dominion
boars headA fierce fighter who battles to the end
Colours
Silver (Argent)Means: Peace and sincerity
Black (Sable)Means: Constancy
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 chief sa. two boars' heads couped fessways of the first, langued gu”
CavanBallyhaise · Cavan, c. 1636
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Map of Ireland showing where the Taylor arms are recorded
The Taylor arms were recorded in Cavan, c. 1636.
Cavan was drumlin and lake country on the edge of Ulster, planted in the seventeenth century. The new landowners took formal grants, and formal grants were recorded with 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 Ireland in this period.
Charles I of England
Sovereign of the period
Charles I of England
1625–1649
Reigning in England when the Taylor arms are first recorded.
How Arms Worked in Ireland
The Ulster King of Arms granted coats of arms to individuals who proved their social standing and good character. These symbols were typically inherited by all legitimate descendants of the original holder. If a family branch wanted a unique look, they could apply for a specific change to their design through the office to ensure their identity remained distinct.
Granting authority
The Ulster King of Arms acted as the official body that regulated and issued all coats of arms throughout Ireland.
How they got arms
Families obtained their arms through formal grants issued by the office after proving their eligibility and paying the required fees.
Where arms were recorded
All official grants were recorded in the registers held by the Ulster King of Arms starting from the year 1552.
The family's standing
Recorded among the armigerous families of Cavan.
Origin & History of the Taylor Family in Ireland
The surname Taylor is of occupational origin, derived from the Old French word *tailleur*, which refers to a person who cuts cloth. While the name is famously associated with England, it became firmly established in Ireland during the seventeenth century as part of the plantation period. By 1636, records confirm that members of the Taylor family were settled in County Cavan, likely arriving as part of the organized migration of settlers from Britain to Ulster. These early families often integrated into the local economy by serving as skilled tradespeople or managing land grants provided by the Crown. Over the following generations, the name spread throughout Ireland, evolving from a label for a specific profession into a permanent family identity that persisted through the social and political upheavals of the era.
Taylor Meaning & Related Branches
Root word
taillour
Derived from the Old French word for a cutter of cloth.
This name
TaylorAn occupational surname for a person who made clothes by cutting and sewing fabric.
also spelled
Tayler
Tailor
Taylour
Related arms
Tarletonsame arms
Tayloursame arms
Eatonsimilar arms
Tailourvariant spelling
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, P.H., A Dictionary of British Surnames, 1958
Kent Archives, Archdeaconry of Canterbury Wills and Administrations, 1587
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
chiefAuthority, wisdom and dominion
chevronProtection, and faithful service completed
boars headA fierce fighter who battles to the end
greyhoundCourage, vigilance and loyalty
chiefAuthority, wisdom and dominion
chevronProtection, and faithful service completed
boars headA fierce fighter who battles to the end
greyhoundCourage, vigilance and loyalty
