Map of England showing where the Wester arms are recorded
The Wester arms were recorded in England, c. 1844.
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.
Victoria
Sovereign of the period
Victoria
1837–1901
Reigning in England when the Wester 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 Wester Family in England
The surname Wester is primarily of locational origin, derived from the Old English and Old Norse word "wester," which simply means "western" or "from the west." Historically, this name was often given to individuals who moved from a western region to a new settlement, serving as a descriptive way to identify a person’s place of origin. By the mid-19th century, the family had established a notable presence in the historic city of York. Records from 1844 confirm that members of the Wester family were living and working within this ancient northern hub, likely contributing to the city’s vibrant trade and industrial growth during the Victorian era. As the family settled in York, they became part of the local social fabric, leaving behind a legacy that reflects the movement and migration patterns common to families in Northern England during that time.
Wester Meaning & Related Branches
Root word
West
A cardinal direction indicating the setting sun or the western region.
This name
WesterA topographic name for someone who lived in the western part of a settlement or region.
also spelled
Westerne
Westernh
Westernn
Westron
Westren
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 Electoral Registers, 1844
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chevronProtection, and faithful service completed
crescentHonour by the sovereign, and the second son
trefoilPerpetuity, and the Trinity
chevronProtection, and faithful service completed
crescentHonour by the sovereign, and the second son
trefoilPerpetuity, and the Trinity
