Map of England showing where the Townsend arms are recorded
The Townsend arms were recorded in Surrey, c. 1564.
Surrey sat just south of London and filled up with families who had made money in the City. Buying an estate there was the usual next step, and an estate was the usual reason to take 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 England when the Townsend 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 Surrey.
Origin & History of the Townsend Family in England
The surname Townsend is a classic example of a locative name, which means it was originally used to describe where a person lived. In medieval England, the name identified someone who resided at the edge of a village or town, specifically near the boundary or the "town’s end." By the mid-16th century, the family had established a notable presence in the county of Surrey. Records from 1564 confirm that members of the Townsend family were active in this region during the reign of Queen Elizabeth I. Because surnames were often passed down through generations based on these geographic markers, the name became a permanent way to track families who lived on the outskirts of growing English settlements. Over time, these families moved from being identified by their surroundings to carrying the name as a formal family title that persisted long after they moved away from their original homes.
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
chevronProtection, and faithful service completed
cross symbolChristian faith and service
eagleNobility, strength and a keen mind
Colours
Gold (Or)Means: Generosity
Black (Sable)Means: Constancy
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)
“Per chev. or and sa. in chief two eagles displ. of the last, and in base a cross crosslet ar”
Irelandc. 1645
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Map of Ireland showing where the Townsend arms are recorded
The Townsend arms were recorded in Ireland, c. 1645.
Arms such as these were typically recorded in Dublin.
Dublin was the seat of government in Ireland and the place where grants were sought and recorded. Families with business at the castle or the courts settled nearby, and settling there put their arms on record.
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.
Charles I of England
Sovereign of the period
Charles I of England
1625–1649
Reigning in England when the Townsend 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 Ireland.
Origin & History of the Townsend Family in Ireland
The history of the Townsend name in Ireland began to take root during the mid-seventeenth century, a period marked by significant political and social upheaval. While the name originates from English roots meaning someone who lived at the edge of a town, the family established a notable presence in Dublin by 1645. During this era, many families with English surnames relocated to Ireland as part of the broader administrative and military shifts occurring under the influence of the English Parliament. Once settled in Dublin, members of the Townsend family integrated into the local urban economy and civic life. Over the following decades, they expanded their influence beyond the capital, eventually establishing deep connections in counties like Cork. This transition from city dwellers to landowners helped the family become a permanent part of the Irish social landscape throughout the eighteenth century.
Townsend Meaning & Related Branches
Root word
tun and ende
Old English for an enclosed settlement or farmstead and a boundary.
This name
TownsendA topographic name for someone who lived at the edge of a village or town.
also spelled
Townsendh
Townsendhe
Related arms
Stringersimilar arms
Townshendvariant spelling
Broomerecorded with Townsend, same area
Brownerecorded with Townsend, same area
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, Kew. Surrey Quarter Sessions Records. 1564
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
cross symbolChristian faith and service
fretPersuasion, and the net that holds
starThe celestial goddess, and nobility
cross symbolChristian faith and service
fretPersuasion, and the net that holds
starThe celestial goddess, and nobility
chevronProtection, and faithful service completed
eagleNobility, strength and a keen mind
