Map of Britain showing where the Witham arms are recorded
The Witham arms were recorded in Bordeaux, c. 1700.
Arms such as these were typically recorded in Kent.
Kent sits between London and the short crossing to Europe, and the trade passing through made it wealthy. Merchant families bought land with that money, and it was landowners who took coats 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 Britain in this period.
William III of England
Sovereign of the period
William III of England
1694–1702
Reigning in Britain when the Witham 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 Britain.
Origin & History of the Witham Family in Britain
The surname Witham is a locational name, meaning it originated from people who lived in or near a specific place. In Britain, the name is most strongly associated with the town of Witham in Essex, which takes its name from the river that flows through the region. The name likely derives from Old English words meaning a homestead or village near a willow tree. While the family had deep roots in the eastern counties for centuries, members of the Witham family were well-established in Kent by the year 1700. During this period, families often moved across the English countryside to pursue new agricultural opportunities or to join growing trade networks in the south. By settling in Kent, the Withams became part of the local fabric of the county, contributing to the rural economy and the social life of their parishes long before the modern era.
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
fessThe military belt, and readiness to serve
cinquefoilHope and joy
Colours
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)
“Sa. a fess betw. three cinquefoils or”
Englandc. 1620
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 England showing where the Witham arms are recorded
The Witham arms were recorded in England, c. 1620.
Arms such as these were typically recorded in York.
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 Britain when the Witham 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 England.
Origin & History of the Witham Family in England
The surname Witham is a locative name, meaning it originated from people who lived near a specific geographic feature or town. The name is derived from the Old English words "withig," meaning willow, and "ham," meaning a homestead or village. This suggests that the earliest ancestors bearing the name lived near a settlement known for its willow trees. By the early 17th century, the family had established a notable presence in the historic city of York. Records from 1620 confirm that members of the Witham family were active in the region during this period, likely participating in the local trade and social life of the city. As the family grew, they became deeply integrated into the fabric of Northern English society, moving from their rural origins to become established residents of one of England's most significant medieval centers.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Withe-ham
Old English terms for willow tree and a homestead or enclosure.
This name
WithamRefers to a settlement or farmstead situated near a cluster of willow trees.
also spelled
Wytham
Wythame
Related arms
Beuzevillesimilar arms
van der Poortensimilar arms
Wythamvariant spelling
Brownrecorded with Witham, 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
Ekwall, Eilert, The Concise Oxford Dictionary of English Place-Names, 1960
The National Archives, Prerogative Court of Canterbury and Related Probate Jurisdictions: Will Registers, 1700
Reaney, Percy Hide, A Dictionary of British Surnames, 1958
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
cinquefoilHope and joy
fessThe military belt, and readiness to serve
cinquefoilHope and joy
