Map of England showing where the Tress arms are recorded
The Tress arms were recorded in Kent, c. 1620.
Kent sits between London and the short crossing to Europe, and the trade passing through made it wealthy. Merchant families bought land with that money, and it was landowners who took coats 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.
James VI and I
Sovereign of the period
James VI and I
1603–1625
Reigning in England when the Tress 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 Kent.
Origin & History of the Tress Family in England
The surname Tress is deeply rooted in the historical landscape of Kent, England, where members of the family were documented as early as 1620. The name is generally considered a locational or topographical surname, likely derived from the Middle English word "tres," which referred to trees or a wooded area. Families during this period often adopted names based on the specific landscape features near their homes, suggesting that the early Tress ancestors lived near a prominent grove or a distinct cluster of trees. By the seventeenth century, the family had established a presence in the rural parishes of Kent, a region known for its agricultural prosperity and dense woodlands. This geographical connection implies that the early bearers of the name were likely farmers or laborers who lived in close harmony with the local environment. Over time, the family name became a permanent fixture in the local records of the county, reflecting the steady growth and movement of families within the English countryside during the early modern era.
Tress Meaning & Related Branches
Root word
tristis
Latin term meaning sad, sorrowful, or gloomy.
This name
TressA topographic name for someone who lived near a thicket or a nickname for a melancholy person.
also spelled
Tres
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, Percy Hide, A Dictionary of British Surnames, 1958
Kent Archives, Archdeaconry Court of Canterbury Wills and Administrations, 1620–1650
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
escallopThe pilgrim's shell, and a long journey made
escallopThe pilgrim's shell, and a long journey made
