Map of England showing where the Trotman arms are recorded
The Trotman arms were recorded in Gloucester, c. 1620.
Gloucestershire had good farmland, a cloth trade in its valleys and a river carrying goods to Bristol. All three made money, and money bought the estates that brought arms with them.
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 Trotman 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 Gloucester.
Origin & History of the Trotman Family in England
The surname Trotman is an occupational name that originated in medieval England, likely referring to a person who worked as a trotter or a messenger. These individuals were often responsible for delivering important news or goods on foot, requiring them to be swift and reliable. By the early 17th century, the family had established a strong presence in the county of Gloucestershire. Records from 1620 confirm that members of the Trotman family were well-settled in this region, where they became active participants in local community life and trade. Over time, the name became deeply rooted in the social fabric of the area, reflecting the transition of the family from their early roles as messengers to becoming established landowners and citizens in the English countryside.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
trot
To move at a steady pace or run with short steps.
This name
TrotmanAn occupational surname for a messenger or someone who traveled frequently on foot.
also spelled
Troteman
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
The National Archives, Gloucestershire Quarter Sessions Records, Q/S
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