Thomes Coat of Arms Record & History

A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Thomes family lines. Documented in 3 countries.

Reg. 3953 · Welsh, T–V

Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details

Where the Thomes Arms Were Recorded

Brecon
Map of Wales showing where the Thomes arms are recorded

The Thomes arms were recorded in Brecon, c. 1647.

Brecon was mid-Welsh hill country, held in small estates by families who stayed for generations. Land was worth less than in the lowlands, but holding it still brought 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.

Region
Brecon
Town
Llwyn Madoc
First recorded
1647

Granting Authority for the Thomes Arms

Arms of College of Arms
College of Arms Sodacan · CC BY-SA 3.0
Authority

College of Arms

1484-present

The body that granted and recorded arms in Wales in this period.

Portrait of Charles I of England
Charles I of England
Sovereign of the period

Charles I of England

1625–1649

Reigning in Wales when the Thomes arms are first recorded.

How Arms Worked in Wales

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 Brecon.

Origin & History of the Thomes Family in Wales

The surname Thomes emerged as a variant of the more common name Thomas, rooted in the ancient Aramaic word for twin. In the context of Wales, the name became established as a patronymic, meaning it was originally used to identify a person as the son of a man named Thomas. By the mid-seventeenth century, the family had firmly planted roots in the historic market town of Brecon. Records from 1647 confirm their presence in this region, which was a vital center for trade and administration in the Welsh Marches. During this period, families in Brecon often lived in close-knit communities where names were passed down through generations to maintain ancestral ties. The transition from a descriptive patronymic to a fixed family surname reflected the changing social structures of seventeenth-century Wales as families began to settle more permanently in specific towns and parishes.

Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details

Where the Thomes Arms Were Recorded

Kent
Map of England showing where the Thomes arms are recorded

The Thomes arms were recorded in Kent, c. 1574.

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.

Region
Kent
Town
Wrotham
First recorded
1574

Granting Authority for the Thomes Arms

Arms of College of Arms
College of Arms Sodacan · CC BY-SA 3.0
Authority

College of Arms

1484-present

The body that granted and recorded arms in England in this period.

Portrait of Elizabeth I of England
Elizabeth I of England
Sovereign of the period

Elizabeth I of England

1558–1603

Reigning in Wales when the Thomes 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 Thomes Family in England

The family name Thomes traces its roots to the patronymic naming traditions common in medieval England, where surnames were often derived from the first name of a father. In this case, the name evolved from a variation of Thomas, which was a popular choice following the influence of Saint Thomas Becket. By the late sixteenth century, records confirm that members of the Thomes family were established in the county of Kent. This region was a vital hub for trade and agriculture, placing the family in an area known for its strong ties to the English Reformation and local parish governance. During this period, families like the Thomes often appeared in local tax rolls and church registers as they integrated into the rural social structure of the English countryside. Their presence in Kent by 1574 suggests they were part of the settled population that helped shape the local community during the reign of Queen Elizabeth I.

Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details

Where the Thomes Arms Were Recorded

Map of Ireland showing where the Thomes arms are recorded

The Thomes arms were recorded in Somerset, c. 1582.

Somerset was rich farming country with a thick scattering of manor houses. Its gentry were numerous and long-settled, and a settled landed family almost always ended up 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.

Region
Somerset
First recorded
1582

Granting Authority for the Thomes Arms

Arms of Ulster King of Arms
Ulster King of Arms Sodacan · CC BY-SA 3.0
Authority

Ulster King of Arms

1552-1943

The body that granted and recorded arms in Ireland in this period.

Portrait of Elizabeth I of England
Elizabeth I of England
Sovereign of the period

Elizabeth I of England

1558–1603

Reigning in Wales when the Thomes 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 Somerset.

Origin & History of the Thomes Family in Ireland

The name Thomes has deep roots that trace back to the English county of Somerset, where records confirm the family was established by 1582. During the seventeenth century, members of the family began to move across the Irish Sea as part of the broader migration of settlers into Ireland. This movement was often tied to the land grants and administrative changes that defined the era. Once in Ireland, the family settled primarily in the southern and eastern provinces, where they integrated into the local economy and social structures of the time. Over the following generations, the name became a distinct part of the local landscape, reflecting the movement of people between the neighboring islands of Britain and Ireland during a period of significant political transition.

Related Branches & Arms

Root word
Toma

Aramaic word meaning twin.

This name
ThomesA patronymic surname derived from the given name Thomas, signifying son of the twin.
also spelled
Tomas
Thomes

Documented Sources

Sir Bernard Burke, The General Armory of England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales, London: Harrison & Sons, 1884

Morgan, Prys, A Study of Welsh Family History, 1988

National Library of Wales, Breconshire Parish Records, 1647

Rowlands, John and Sheila, The Surnames of Wales, 1996

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Framed, black wood 11 × 14 in, printed on heavy archival paper, framed in black wood and ready to hang.
$119.00
Free shipping
Set of 4 mugs Four matching 11 oz white ceramic mugs, dishwasher safe, the arms printed on each.
$49.99
Free shipping
Family cap - unisex Walnut bill, cream crown, one size fits all. The arms on the front.
$39.99
Free shipping
Digital archive pack Coat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
Framed, black wood 11 × 14 in, printed on heavy archival paper, framed in black wood and ready to hang.
$119.00
Free shipping
Set of 4 mugs Four matching 11 oz white ceramic mugs, dishwasher safe, the arms printed on each.
$49.99
Free shipping
Family cap - unisex Walnut bill, cream crown, one size fits all. The arms on the front.
$39.99
Free shipping
Digital archive pack Coat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.