Map of England showing where the Vyse arms are recorded
The Vyse arms were recorded in Stafford, c. 1620.
Staffordshire was mixed country of moorland, farmland and early ironworking. Its landed families were spread widely rather than concentrated, and each holding brought its own claim to 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 Vyse 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 Stafford.
Origin & History of the Vyse Family in England
The family name Vyse has deep roots in the English county of Staffordshire, where members of the family were well-established residents by the year 1620. The name is generally classified as a topographical surname, which means it likely originated from a person who lived near a specific physical feature or landmark. In Middle English, the word "vise" or "vyse" was sometimes used to describe a winding staircase, a conduit, or a specific type of defensive structure. It is probable that early ancestors took this name because they lived near such a feature or worked in a trade related to these structures. Over time, the name became a permanent identifier for families living in the region, eventually spreading from their early base in Stafford to other parts of England as the family grew and moved for work or marriage.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Vise
Old French term for a winding staircase or screw.
This name
VyseA topographic name for someone who lived near a spiral staircase or tower.
also spelled
Vise
Vis
Documented Sources
Sir Bernard Burke, The General Armory of England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales, London: Harrison & Sons, 1884
Reaney, P.H. and Wilson, R.M., A Dictionary of English Surnames, 1991
Staffordshire Record Office, Diocese of Lichfield and Coventry: Bishop's Transcripts, 1620
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
cross symbolChristian faith and service
stagPeace and harmony, and one who will not fight unprovoked
cross symbolChristian faith and service
stagPeace and harmony, and one who will not fight unprovoked
