Map of England showing where the Walls arms are recorded
The Walls arms were recorded in England, 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 Walls 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 Walls Family in England
The surname Walls is a locative name, which means it was originally used to describe people who lived near a prominent wall or a fortified boundary. In medieval England, such structures were often significant landmarks, such as the remains of Roman fortifications or the defensive walls surrounding a town. By the year 1620, records confirm that members of the Walls family were well-established in the historic city of York. Given York’s long history as a walled city dating back to its time as a Roman military base, it is highly probable that the family name emerged from a long-standing association with these ancient stone defenses. Over many generations, the name transitioned from a simple description of a person’s home to a permanent family identifier that was passed down through the centuries.
Walls Meaning & Related Branches
Root word
Vallum
A Latin term referring to a rampart or defensive wall.
This name
WallsA topographic name for someone who lived near a defensive wall or fortification.
also spelled
Wallis
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
York City Archives, York Freemen’s Register, 1272–1759
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
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