Map of England showing where the Timmis arms are recorded
The Timmis arms were recorded in England, c. 1620.
Arms such as these were typically recorded in York.
Yorkshire is the largest of the English counties, and it held more gentry families than any other. Land there was split among a great many households rather than a few, so a great many of them carried 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.
James VI and I
Sovereign of the period
James VI and I
1603–1625
Reigning in England when the Timmis 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 England.
Origin & History of the Timmis Family in England
The surname Timmis is a patronymic name, which means it evolved from the given name of an early ancestor. It is widely considered a variation of the name Timothy, which has roots in the Greek language meaning to honor God. By the year 1620, records confirm that members of the Timmis family were established in the historic city of York. During this period, families often lived in the same region for generations, working in local trades or agriculture. Because surnames were still becoming standardized in the seventeenth century, the spelling of the name likely shifted based on how it sounded to local clerks and record keepers. The presence of the family in York suggests they were part of the growing urban population in Northern England during the early Stuart era.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Timotheos
Greek for honoring God or God-fearing.
This name
TimmisA patronymic surname derived from a diminutive form of Timothy.
also spelled
Tyms
Tymms
Timme
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
Bardsley, Charles Wareing, A Dictionary of English and Welsh Surnames, 1901
Borthwick Institute for Archives, York Diocesan Probate 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
fleur de lisPurity, light, and the sixth son
chevronProtection, and faithful service completed
fleur de lisPurity, light, and the sixth son
