Map of England showing where the Welborn arms are recorded
The Welborn 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 Welborn 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 Welborn Family in England
The surname Welborn is a locative name, meaning it was originally taken from a specific place to identify a person’s origin. The name is derived from Old English roots, combining the words for a spring or stream with the word for a brook or well. By the year 1620, records confirm that members of the Welborn family were established in the historic city of York in Northern England. During this period, families often moved toward growing urban centers like York to find work in trade or local government. Because the name describes a natural feature of the landscape, it likely originated in a small village or rural settlement before the family migrated into the city. As these early ancestors settled in York, they became part of the local community, leaving behind administrative records that trace their presence in the region during the early seventeenth century.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Wella and burna
Old English words for a spring or stream and a brook.
This name
WelbornRefers to someone who lived near a spring or a stream.
also spelled
Welborne
Welborn
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 City Chamberlains’ Accounts, 1620
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
fessThe military belt, and readiness to serve
bendDefence, and the scarf of a commander
fessThe military belt, and readiness to serve
bendDefence, and the scarf of a commander
