Map of England showing where the Tremaine arms are recorded
The Tremaine arms were recorded in Devon, c. 1552.
Devon was a county of small manors and seafaring families. Its gentry were spread thickly across the countryside, and money made at sea often bought an estate, which in turn brought a coat of 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.
Edward VI of England
Sovereign of the period
Edward VI of England
1547–1553
Reigning in England when the Tremaine 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 Devon.
Origin & History of the Tremaine Family in England
The surname Tremaine is rooted in the landscape of southwestern England, specifically within the counties of Cornwall and Devon. The name is locational in origin, meaning it was likely adopted by families who lived near a specific settlement or geographic feature. In the Cornish language, the prefix "tre" refers to a homestead or a farm, while the suffix often relates to the specific characteristics of that location. By the middle of the sixteenth century, the family had established a firm presence in Devon, as evidenced by parish records from 1552. During this era, members of the family were typically involved in local agriculture or trade, which was common for families living in the rural parishes of the West Country. As the family grew, they became integrated into the social and economic fabric of their communities, leaving behind a trail of documents that trace their movement across the region.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Tre-maen
Cornish elements meaning farmstead or settlement and stone.
This name
TremaineDerived from a Cornish place name referring to a stone farm or settlement.
also spelled
Tremaine
Documented Sources
Sir Bernard Burke, The General Armory of England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales, London: Harrison & Sons, 1884
Gover, J.E.B., Mawer, A., and Stenton, F.M., The Place-Names of Devon, 1931
Padel, O.J., A Popular Dictionary of Cornish Place-Names, 1988
Devon Archives and Local Studies Service, Parish Registers of Devon, 1552
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armA person of action, industrious and laborious
armA person of action, industrious and laborious
