Map of England showing where the Wang arms are recorded
The Wang arms were recorded in Rutland, c. 1620.
Rutland is the smallest English county, but its land was good and its manors were held by families of standing. A small county with good land still produces its share of recorded 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 Wang 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 Rutland.
Origin & History of the Wang Family in England
The surname Wang is one of the most common family names in the world, originating from the Chinese word for king or monarch. While the name has deep roots in East Asian history, its presence in England, particularly in the county of Rutland, suggests a unique migration story. By 1620, records indicate that individuals bearing this name were already established within the local Rutland community. During this period, families in rural England were often tied closely to the land and local parish life. These early settlers likely integrated into the agricultural society of the East Midlands, living through a time of significant social and political change in England. Their presence in the historical records of Rutland provides a fascinating glimpse into how a name with ancient imperial origins became part of the local fabric of a small English county during the early seventeenth century.
Wang Meaning & Related Branches
Root word
Old English 'wang'
An open field, meadow, or expanse of land.
This name
WangA topographic name for someone who lived near a meadow or open field.
also spelled
Wyng
Wynge
Documented Sources
Sir Bernard Burke, The General Armory of England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales, London: Harrison & Sons, 1884
Rutland County Council, Rutland County Archives: Parish Registers of Rutland, 1620
The National Archives, State Papers Domestic: James I, 1620
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maunchThe lady's sleeve, worn as a favour
maunchThe lady's sleeve, worn as a favour
