A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Wisham family of England.
Reg. 3892 · English, W–Z
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
fessThe military belt, and readiness to serve
martletA younger son, who must win his own land
Colours
Black (Sable)Means: Constancy
Silver (Argent)Means: Peace and sincerity
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)
“Sa. a fess betw. six martlets ar”
GloucesterGloucester, c. 1620
Where the Wisham Arms Were Recorded
Gloucester
Map of England showing where the Wisham arms are recorded
The Wisham arms were recorded in Gloucester, c. 1620.
Gloucestershire had good farmland, a cloth trade in its valleys and a river carrying goods to Bristol. All three made money, and money bought the estates that brought arms with them.
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 Wisham 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 Gloucester.
Origin & History of the Wisham Family in England
The history of the Wisham family name is rooted in the coastal landscape of Gloucester, England, where records confirm members of the family were living as early as 1620. During the seventeenth century, Gloucester served as a vital hub for trade and maritime activity, which likely influenced the daily lives and occupations of early family members. The name itself is believed to be a locative surname, meaning it was originally used to identify people based on the specific village or geographic feature where they resided. As the family established their presence in this historic region, they became part of the local social fabric, contributing to the growth and development of the area during a time of significant change in English society. Over the following generations, the family name persisted as a marker of their deep ancestral connection to the Gloucestershire region.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Wighelm
Derived from Old English elements meaning battle and helmet or protection.
This name
WishamA locational surname likely referring to a dweller near a battle-protected homestead or settlement.
also spelled
Wysham
Wyshamm
Documented Sources
Sir Bernard Burke, The General Armory of England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales, London: Harrison & Sons, 1884
Gloucestershire Archives, Bishop's Transcripts for Gloucester Parishes, 1620
The National Archives, State Papers Domestic: James I, 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
martletA younger son, who must win his own land
fessThe military belt, and readiness to serve
martletA younger son, who must win his own land
