Map of England showing where the Wimberley arms are recorded
The Wimberley arms were recorded in Lincoln, c. 1620.
Lincolnshire was rich farming country, and its wealth was spread across many middling families. Households of that size bought land and took arms, and the county holds a large share of English names.
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 Wimberley 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 Lincoln.
Origin & History of the Wimberley Family in England
The surname Wimberley is a locative name, meaning it likely originated from a specific place name in England. Historical records confirm that members of the family were well-established in the city of Lincoln by the year 1620. During this period, the family was deeply integrated into the local community, with some members serving in prominent roles within the church and civic administration. The name itself is thought to be derived from Old English roots describing a clearing or a meadow near a winding stream. As the family grew, they expanded their influence throughout Lincolnshire, leaving behind a trail of parish registers and legal documents that track their movement through the seventeenth century. These early ancestors were part of the rising middle class in England, and their presence in Lincoln highlights the family's long-standing connection to the history of the East Midlands.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Wimberley
Derived from Old English elements meaning wine or friend and clearing.
This name
WimberleyRefers to a person who lived near a clearing associated with a friend or companion.
also spelled
Wymberley
Wimberly
Wymberly
Documented Sources
Sir Bernard Burke, The General Armory of England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales, London: Harrison & Sons, 1884
Maddison, Arthur Roland. Lincolnshire Pedigrees. 1902
Lincolnshire Archives. Lincoln Consistory Court Wills. 1600–1650
The National Archives. State Papers Domestic, James I. 1620
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