Map of England showing where the Templeman arms are recorded
The Templeman arms were recorded in Dorset, c. 1620.
Dorset was quiet farming and grazing country along the south coast. Its gentry were middling rather than grand, but they held their manors for a very long time, and long holding is what puts a name 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 Templeman 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 Dorset.
Origin & History of the Templeman Family in England
The surname Templeman is an occupational name that originated in medieval England to describe a person who served or worked for the Knights Templar. This religious military order held significant land and influence across the country during the Middle Ages, and those who managed their estates or acted as their tenants were often identified by this title. By the early 17th century, the family had established a strong presence in the county of Dorset. Records from 1620 confirm that members of the Templeman family were living and working in this region, where they likely engaged in agriculture or local trade. Over time, the name transitioned from a description of a person’s employment into a permanent family surname passed down through generations. This history reflects the deep connection between medieval social structures and the development of modern English family names.
Templeman Meaning & Related Branches
Root word
Templum
Latin word meaning a sacred space or temple.
This name
TemplemanAn occupational surname for a servant or worker employed at the Knights Templar estates.
also spelled
Templemen
Templemon
Documented Sources
Sir Bernard Burke, The General Armory of England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales, London: Harrison & Sons, 1884
Reaney, P.H., A Dictionary of English Surnames, 1991
Dorset History Centre, Dorset Quarter Sessions Records, 1620
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
roseThe seventh son, and beauty with grace
escallopThe pilgrim's shell, and a long journey made
chevronProtection, and faithful service completed
roseThe seventh son, and beauty with grace
escallopThe pilgrim's shell, and a long journey made
