Map of England showing where the Trice arms are recorded
The Trice arms were recorded in Godmanchester, 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 Trice 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 Trice Family in England
The surname Trice is believed to have originated in England, where it likely functioned as a descriptive nickname or a locational identifier. By the early seventeenth century, the family had established a notable presence in the city of York. Records from 1620 confirm that members of the Trice family were living in this historic northern hub during a period of significant social and economic transition. As residents of a major trade center, these early ancestors were likely involved in the local merchant guilds or the skilled trades that defined York at the time. Over the following decades, the family name spread as individuals moved throughout the British Isles and eventually participated in the migration to the American colonies, carrying their heritage across the Atlantic to establish new roots in the New World.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
trice
Derived from the Middle English word for a very short time.
This name
TriceA nickname for a person who was quick, prompt, or moved with great speed.
also spelled
Tryce
Trise
Tryse
Related arms
Trisevariant spelling
Trycevariant spelling
Hernerecorded with Trice, same area
Minsterchamberrecorded with Trice, 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, State Papers Domestic, James I, 1620
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
chiefAuthority, wisdom and dominion
lionCourage, strength and royalty
mulletThe third son, and a divine quality from above
chevronProtection, and faithful service completed
chiefAuthority, wisdom and dominion
lionCourage, strength and royalty
mulletThe third son, and a divine quality from above
