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
Symbols on this shield
chevronProtection, and faithful service completed
chiefAuthority, wisdom and dominion
griffinValour and vigilance, guarding great treasure
cinquefoilHope and joy
Colours
Silver (Argent)Means: Peace and sincerity
Blue (Azure)Means: Loyalty and truth
Gold (Or)Means: Generosity
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 chev. engr. az. two griffins rencontrant combatant of the field, gorged with two bars gu. on a chief of the second three cinquefoils pierced or”
BreconLlwyn Madoc · Brecon, c. 1647
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.
The body that granted and recorded arms in Wales in this period.
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
Symbols on this shield
paleMilitary strength, and a fortified defence
chevronProtection, and faithful service completed
martletA younger son, who must win his own land
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)
“Per pale ar. and sa. a chev. betw. three Cornish choughs all counterchanged, beaked and legged gu”
KentWrotham · Kent, c. 1574
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.
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 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
Symbols on this shield
chevronProtection, and faithful service completed
chiefAuthority, wisdom and dominion
griffinValour and vigilance, guarding great treasure
roundelA coin, and one who has been to the crusades
Colours
Red (Gules)Means: Military strength
Silver (Argent)Means: Peace and sincerity
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)
“Gu. on a chev. ar. two griffins pass. counter-pass. of the first, on a chief of the second three torteaux”
SomersetSomerset, c. 1582
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.
The body that granted and recorded arms in Ireland in this period.
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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