Map of England showing where the Thorat arms are recorded
The Thorat 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 Thorat 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 Thorat Family in England
The surname Thorat carries a distinct history that traces back to the early seventeenth century in the rugged landscape of Cornwall. By 1620, records confirm that members of the family were already established in this southwestern corner of England, a region known for its deep connection to mining and maritime trade. The name itself likely evolved from local dialects or occupational descriptions common to the area during the Stuart period. As the family settled into the Cornish countryside, they became part of the local social fabric, living through a time of significant religious and political change. While the name remains relatively rare, its presence in early parish registers suggests that the family was well-integrated into the small, tight-knit communities that defined life in Cornwall four hundred years ago.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Thor
The Old Norse god of thunder and strength.
This name
ThoratA patronymic surname derived from the god Thor, signifying a descendant or follower of the deity.
also spelled
Traut
Documented Sources
Sir Bernard Burke, The General Armory of England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales, London: Harrison & Sons, 1884
Cornwall Archives, Parish Register Collection: Baptisms, Marriages and Burials (1600–1650)
Peskett, Hugh, Guide to the Parish Records of Cornwall, 1978
Tangye, Nigel, Cornish Names and Families, 1982
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
cantonA mark of honour granted by the sovereign
cantonA mark of honour granted by the sovereign
