Map of England showing where the Willits arms are recorded
The Willits arms were recorded in Cambridge, c. 1620.
Cambridgeshire was flat, rich farming country with the university at its centre. Fen drainage made new land and new fortunes, and families who gained by it bought manors and took arms to match.
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 Willits 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 Cambridge.
Origin & History of the Willits Family in England
The surname Willits is an English patronymic name, which means it was originally derived from the given name of a father or ancestor. It is a variation of the name William, specifically evolving from the diminutive form Willot or Willet. By the early 17th century, families carrying this name were well-established in England, including those residing in the university town of Cambridge by 1620. These early members of the family were part of a period of significant social and religious change in England, which eventually led many individuals to seek new opportunities across the Atlantic. As the family spread from their roots in the English countryside and academic centers, the spelling of the name shifted slightly to the form we recognize today. This transition reflects the common practice of the time where names were often recorded phonetically by clerks rather than following a standardized spelling.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
William
Derived from Germanic elements meaning resolute protector or helmet of will.
This name
WillitsA patronymic surname indicating son of Will, a common diminutive of William.
also spelled
Wyllis
Wyllys
Willes
Willie
Willy
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
The National Archives (UK), Probate Records of the Prerogative Court of Canterbury, 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
bordureA difference between branches of one family
lionCourage, strength and royalty
fessThe military belt, and readiness to serve
bordureA difference between branches of one family
lionCourage, strength and royalty
