Map of England showing where the Treffry arms are recorded
The Treffry 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 Treffry 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 Treffry Family in England
The Treffry family name is deeply rooted in the rugged landscape of Cornwall, where the family established a significant presence by the early seventeenth century. The name itself is locative, meaning it likely originated from a specific place or estate known as Treffry, which translates from the Cornish language as the town or homestead on the hill. During the 1620s, members of the family were already well-integrated into the local social fabric of the region. They were often involved in the management of land and the local mining industry, which were the primary drivers of the Cornish economy at that time. Because Cornwall was somewhat isolated from the rest of England, the family maintained strong regional ties and played an active role in the development of their local parishes. Their history reflects the broader story of Cornish families who built lasting legacies through agriculture, trade, and deep connections to the unique geography of the southwestern peninsula.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Tre-frew
A Cornish place name derived from homestead and a personal name.
This name
TreffryRefers to a person originating from the settlement of Frew in Cornwall.
also spelled
Trefrey
Related arms
Colquiterecorded with Treffry, same area
Tollerrecorded with Treffry, same area
Documented Sources
Sir Bernard Burke, The General Armory of England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales, London: Harrison & Sons, 1884
Padel, O.J., A Popular Dictionary of Cornish Place-Names, 1988
Cornwall Archives, Quarter Sessions Rolls, 1620
Henderson, Charles, Essays in Cornish History, 1935
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
treeLife, endurance and deep roots
chevronProtection, and faithful service completed
treeLife, endurance and deep roots
