Map of England showing where the Westerman arms are recorded
The Westerman arms were recorded in York, c. 1620.
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 Westerman 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 York.
Origin & History of the Westerman Family in England
The surname Westerman is a locative name, which means it was originally used to identify people based on where they lived or where they traveled from. In its earliest form, the name described someone who lived to the west of a specific landmark or someone who had migrated from a western region. By the year 1620, records confirm that members of the Westerman family were well-established in the city of York, England. During this period, York was a bustling center of trade and religious life, and families like the Westermans often held roles as skilled tradespeople or merchants within the city walls. As the family grew, they became deeply integrated into the local community, contributing to the social and economic fabric of northern England for generations.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
West
A cardinal direction indicating the setting sun or western region.
This name
WestermanA topographic name for someone who lived to the west of a settlement.
also spelled
Westermon
Westermen
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
Borthwick Institute for Archives, York Diocesan Probate Records, 1620
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cinquefoilHope and joy
lionCourage, strength and royalty
cinquefoilHope and joy
lionCourage, strength and royalty
