Map of Britain showing where the Williamson arms are recorded
The Williamson arms were recorded in Nottinghamshire, c. 1700.
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 Britain in this period.
William III of England
Sovereign of the period
William III of England
1694–1702
Reigning in Britain when the Williamson arms are first recorded.
How Arms Worked in Britain
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 Nottinghamshire.
Origin & History of the Williamson Family in Britain
The surname Williamson is a classic example of a patronymic name, which means it was created to identify a person as the son of William. The name William itself became incredibly popular across Britain following the Norman Conquest of 1066. Because the name was so common, families adopting this surname did not necessarily share a single common ancestor. Instead, many different groups across the country independently adopted the name to distinguish themselves in their local communities. By the time the name was well-established in Nottinghamshire during the early 1700s, it had already been in use for several centuries. Families in this region during that era were often tied to the land through farming or local trade, contributing to the steady growth of the name within the English Midlands. Over generations, these families became deeply rooted in their local parishes, leaving behind records of births, marriages, and deaths that help historians track their movement and social standing throughout the eighteenth century.
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
chevronProtection, and faithful service completed
trefoilPerpetuity, and the Trinity
crescentHonour by the sovereign, and the second son
Colours
Silver (Argent)Means: Peace and sincerity
Blue (Azure)Means: Loyalty and truth
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 chev. engr. az. betw. three trefoils slipped sa. as many crescents or, quartering, 1st, SALFIELD; 2nd, WILLIAMSON, of Norloshby; 3rd, CROKER”
OxfordTusmore · Oxford, c. 1574
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Map of England showing where the Williamson arms are recorded
The Williamson arms were recorded in Oxford, c. 1574.
Oxfordshire was farming country with the university at its centre, and both produced families of standing. Scholars and lawyers who did well bought manors nearby, and holding a manor was the ordinary route to 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.
Elizabeth I of England
Sovereign of the period
Elizabeth I of England
1558–1603
Reigning in Britain when the Williamson 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 Oxford.
Origin & History of the Williamson Family in England
The surname Williamson is a patronymic name, which means it was originally created to identify a person as the son of a man named William. This naming convention became common in England following the Norman Conquest, as the name William rose to immense popularity across the country. By the late sixteenth century, the family had established a notable presence in the university city of Oxford. Records from 1574 confirm that individuals bearing this name were active within the local community during this period. As the name spread through different regions, families often adopted distinct spellings or local variations based on their specific trade or social standing. Because the name was tied to a common given name rather than a specific geographic location, it emerged independently in many different parts of England, allowing the family lineage to grow across various social classes throughout the centuries.
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
saltireResolution, and St Andrew's cross
boars headA fierce fighter who battles to the end
mulletThe third son, and a divine quality from above
Colours
Silver (Argent)Means: Peace and sincerity
Black (Sable)Means: Constancy
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. a saltire betw a boar's head erased in chief and three stars in flanks and base sa”
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 Williamson arms are recorded
The Williamson 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 Britain when the Williamson 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 Williamson Family in Scotland
The surname Williamson is a patronymic name, which means it was originally created to identify a person as the son of William. In Scotland, the name became established as families adopted fixed surnames during the medieval period. By the mid-eighteenth century, the Williamson family had integrated into the bustling urban life of Edinburgh. Records from 1748 show that members of the family were active participants in the city’s social and economic growth during a time of significant cultural change. As Edinburgh expanded as a center for trade and law, the Williamsons were part of the growing population that helped shape the city’s identity. Their presence in the capital suggests they were likely involved in the professional or merchant classes that defined the Scottish Enlightenment.
Williamson Meaning & Related Branches
Root word
Wilhelm
Derived from Germanic elements meaning resolute protector or strong-willed helmet.
This name
WilliamsonPatronymic surname indicating a descendant of a man named William.
also spelled
Willyamson
Wyllyamson
Williamsonn
Wyliamson
Related arms
Euresimilar arms
Oilliamsonvariant spelling
Buckleyrecorded with Williamson, same area
Caserecorded with Williamson, same area
Documented Sources
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Bardsley, Charles Wareing, A Dictionary of English and Welsh Surnames, 1901
Reaney, Percy Hide and Wilson, Richard Middlewood, A Dictionary of English Surnames, 1991
chevronProtection, and faithful service completed
trefoilPerpetuity, and the Trinity
chevronProtection, and faithful service completed
trefoilPerpetuity, and the Trinity
crescentHonour by the sovereign, and the second son
saltireResolution, and St Andrew's cross
boars headA fierce fighter who battles to the end
mulletThe third son, and a divine quality from above
