Map of England showing where the Welsh arms are recorded
The Welsh arms were recorded in Berks, c. 1620.
Berkshire sat on the road west from London with the royal castle at Windsor in the middle of it. Court families bought estates within reach, and an estate near the court almost always came with a coat of 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 Welsh 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 Berks.
Origin & History of the Welsh Family in England
The surname Welsh originated as a descriptive label used by the English to identify people who came from Wales or spoke the Welsh language. In Old English, the word "wealh" meant a foreigner or a stranger, and it was commonly applied to the Celtic people living to the west of England. As families moved across the border and settled in various English counties, this label eventually became a permanent hereditary surname. By 1620, records confirm that members of the Welsh family were well-established in the county of Berkshire. These early settlers were likely part of a broader migration pattern where individuals moved eastward to seek new opportunities in agriculture or trade. Over time, the name evolved from a simple way to describe a person's origin into a family identity that was passed down through generations of English residents.
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
saltireResolution, and St Andrew's cross
ringFidelity, and a promise kept
Colours
Silver (Argent)Means: Peace and sincerity
Black (Sable)Means: Constancy
Gold (Or)Means: Generosity
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)
“Ar. on a saltire sa. five annulets or”
Scotlandc. 1748
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 Scotland showing where the Welsh arms are recorded
The Welsh arms were recorded in Scotland, c. 1748.
Arms such as these were typically recorded in Edinburgh.
Edinburgh was the seat of Scotland's government, its courts and its heralds. Families with business there settled nearby, and being close to where arms were recorded is exactly why so many of them appear.
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 Scotland in this period.
George II of Great Britain
Sovereign of the period
George II of Great Britain
1727–1760
Reigning in England when the Welsh arms are first recorded.
How Arms Worked in Scotland
Scottish heraldry is unique because it treats a coat of arms as a piece of personal property protected by law. Only one person can own a specific design at any given time. When a family grows, the head keeps the original shield while other relatives must apply for their own distinct version with slight changes to prove their specific identity.
Granting authority
The Court of the Lord Lyon acts as the official body that regulates and controls all heraldic matters throughout Scotland.
How they got arms
Individuals obtain a legal right to their arms through a formal petition process that confirms their identity and family connection.
Where arms were recorded
All valid coats of arms are officially entered into the Public Register of All Arms and Bearings starting from 1672.
The family's standing
Recorded among the armigerous families of Scotland.
Origin & History of the Welsh Family in Scotland
The surname Welsh is a classic example of an occupational or locational name that emerged during the Middle Ages. In the context of Scotland, the name originally served as a descriptor for people who arrived from Wales or spoke a language distinct from the local Gaelic or Scots tongues. By the time members of the family were firmly established in Edinburgh by 1748, the name had evolved from a simple label into a settled hereditary surname. During this period, families with this name were often integrated into the professional and merchant classes of the city. They participated in the rapid urban growth that defined eighteenth-century Scotland. While the name points to ancient roots outside of the Scottish borders, those living in Edinburgh during the mid-1700s were fully part of the local social and economic fabric of the capital.
Welsh Meaning & Related Branches
Root word
Wealh
Old English term for a foreigner or a stranger.
This name
WelshA locative or ethnic surname originally used to describe someone from Wales or a Celtic speaker.
also spelled
Walshe
Walsh
Related arms
Walshvariant spelling
Walshevariant spelling
Welleshvariant spelling
Melvillerecorded with Welsh, same area
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
Bardsley, Charles Wareing, A Dictionary of English and Welsh Surnames, 1901
The National Archives, Prerogative Court of Canterbury and Related Probate Jurisdictions: Will Registers, 1620
Berkshire Record Office, Quarter Sessions Records, 1620
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
mulletThe third son, and a divine quality from above
mulletThe third son, and a divine quality from above
saltireResolution, and St Andrew's cross
ringFidelity, and a promise kept
