Map of England showing where the Thom arms are recorded
The Thom arms were recorded in Cornwall, c. 1620.
Cornwall was a county apart, with its own language and its own tight-knit gentry. Tin and the sea made money there, and families who made it bought land, which is what brought arms with it.
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 Thom 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 Cornwall.
Origin & History of the Thom Family in England
The surname Thom is a shortened form of the name Thomas, which originates from the Aramaic word for twin. In the early seventeenth century, the family established a notable presence in the rugged landscape of Cornwall. During this period, the region was a center for tin mining and maritime trade, which likely shaped the daily lives and occupations of early family members. By 1620, the name was already becoming rooted in the local community as families settled into the coastal parishes. Over time, the name evolved from a common given name into a distinct hereditary surname that identified these individuals within their local villages. This transition reflects a broader trend in British history where personal names were adopted as permanent family identifiers to help track property and tax obligations.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Toma
Aramaic word meaning twin.
This name
ThomA patronymic surname derived from the given name Thomas, signifying son of Thomas.
also spelled
Thom
Thome
Thomm
Tommes
Documented Sources
Sir Bernard Burke, The General Armory of England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales, London: Harrison & Sons, 1884
Reaney, P.H. and Wilson, R.M., A Dictionary of English Surnames, 1991
Cornwall Archives, Parish Registers of Cornwall, 1620
Hanks, Patrick and Hodges, Flavia, A Dictionary of Surnames, 1988
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
escallopThe pilgrim's shell, and a long journey made
stagPeace and harmony, and one who will not fight unprovoked
escallopThe pilgrim's shell, and a long journey made
stagPeace and harmony, and one who will not fight unprovoked
