Map of England showing where the Tombs arms are recorded
The Tombs 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 Tombs 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 Tombs Family in England
The surname Tombs is a patronymic name, which means it originated as a way to identify a person as the son of someone named Tom or Thomas. During the early seventeenth century, the name became established in the historic city of York, England. Families living in this region during the 1620s often worked in trades related to the local wool industry or served as craftsmen within the city walls. Because York was a major northern hub for commerce and religion, families like the Tombs were likely part of a growing urban middle class that relied on local guilds and parish networks to maintain their livelihoods. Over time, the spelling of the name shifted as it was recorded by local clerks, eventually settling into the form recognized today. This evolution reflects the way many English families transitioned from using simple descriptive names to permanent surnames that were passed down through generations.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Thomas
Aramaic name meaning twin
This name
TombsA patronymic surname indicating a descendant of a person named Thomas.
also spelled
Thoms
Tommes
Thommes
Documented Sources
Sir Bernard Burke, The General Armory of England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales, London: Harrison & Sons, 1884
Bardsley, Charles Wareing, A Dictionary of English and Welsh Surnames, 1901
Reaney, P.H., A Dictionary of British Surnames, 1958
The National Archives, Parish registers of York, series PROB 11
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
wheatsheafPlenty, and the harvest of one's own labour
martletA younger son, who must win his own land
wheatsheafPlenty, and the harvest of one's own labour
martletA younger son, who must win his own land
