Map of England showing where the Webb arms are recorded
The Webb arms were recorded in Dorset, c. 1577.
Dorset was quiet farming and grazing country along the south coast. Its gentry were middling rather than grand, but they held their manors for a very long time, and long holding is what puts a name in the records.
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.
Elizabeth I of England
Sovereign of the period
Elizabeth I of England
1558–1603
Reigning in England when the Webb 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 Dorset.
Origin & History of the Webb Family in England
The surname Webb is an occupational name that originated in medieval England to describe a person who worked as a weaver. During the Middle Ages, weaving was a vital trade, and men who operated looms were commonly referred to by the Old English word webba. As surnames became permanent family identifiers, this professional title transitioned into a hereditary name. By the late sixteenth century, the Webb family had established a notable presence in the county of Dorset. Records from 1577 confirm that members of the family were living and working in this region during the reign of Queen Elizabeth I. These early ancestors were likely part of the local agricultural or textile communities that defined the rural economy of southern England at that time. Over the following centuries, the family name spread from these regional roots to become a common fixture across the English landscape.
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
bendDefence, and the scarf of a commander
cross symbolChristian faith and service
Colours
Gold (Or)Means: Generosity
Red (Gules)Means: Military strength
Historical info
Source
Sir Bernard Burke, The General Armory of England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales, London: Harrison & Sons, 1884
Blazon (the actual original written record)
“Or, on a bend engr. gu. three crosses crosslet fitchée of the field”
DublinDublin, c. 1617
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
Map of Ireland showing where the Webb arms are recorded
The Webb arms were recorded in Dublin, c. 1617.
Dublin was the seat of government in Ireland and the place where grants were sought and recorded. Families with business at the castle or the courts settled nearby, and settling there put their arms on record.
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 Ireland in this period.
James VI and I
Sovereign of the period
James VI and I
1603–1625
Reigning in England when the Webb arms are first recorded.
How Arms Worked in Ireland
The Ulster King of Arms granted coats of arms to individuals who proved their social standing and good character. These symbols were typically inherited by all legitimate descendants of the original holder. If a family branch wanted a unique look, they could apply for a specific change to their design through the office to ensure their identity remained distinct.
Granting authority
The Ulster King of Arms acted as the official body that regulated and issued all coats of arms throughout Ireland.
How they got arms
Families obtained their arms through formal grants issued by the office after proving their eligibility and paying the required fees.
Where arms were recorded
All official grants were recorded in the registers held by the Ulster King of Arms starting from the year 1552.
The family's standing
Recorded among the armigerous families of Dublin.
Origin & History of the Webb Family in Ireland
The surname Webb arrived in Ireland during a period of significant migration from England, with records confirming the family was well-established in Dublin by 1617. The name itself is occupational, originating from the Middle English word for a weaver, which suggests that the early ancestors of the Irish Webbs were likely skilled tradespeople who brought their textile expertise to the growing urban centers of the seventeenth century. As Dublin expanded into a major hub for commerce and administration, families like the Webbs integrated into the local economy by securing positions in trade guilds and municipal governance. These early settlers often served as bridge builders between the local Irish population and the incoming English administration, helping to shape the social and economic landscape of the city during a time of rapid transition. By establishing themselves in the capital early on, the Webb family secured a foothold that allowed them to participate in the development of Dublin for generations to come.
Webb Meaning & Related Branches
Root word
webba
Old English term for to weave or a weaver.
This name
WebbAn occupational surname for a person who worked as a weaver of cloth.
also spelled
Web
Related arms
Billrecorded with Webb, same area
Coneyrecorded with Webb, same area
Cropleyrecorded with Webb, same area
Dennyrecorded with Webb, 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, Dorset Quarter Sessions Records, 1577
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
falconOne eager and quick in pursuit
cross symbolChristian faith and service
falconOne eager and quick in pursuit
bendDefence, and the scarf of a commander
