Map of England showing where the Witter arms are recorded
The Witter arms were recorded in England, c. 1669.
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.
Charles II of England
Sovereign of the period
Charles II of England
1660–1685
Reigning in England when the Witter 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 Witter Family in England
The surname Witter is rooted in the linguistic traditions of Northern England, where it likely evolved as a descriptive name for a person with a quick or lively temperament. By the late seventeenth century, the family had established a notable presence in the historic city of York. Records confirm that members of the Witter family were living in this region by 1669, a time when York served as a vital center for trade and religious administration. These early settlers were part of a growing urban population that navigated the social and economic shifts of the Restoration era. Their presence in the city archives suggests they were integrated into the local community, participating in the daily life and civic duties that defined life in a major English cathedral city during the late 1600s.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Wig-hard
Derived from Old English elements meaning war or battle and brave.
This name
WitterA locational or occupational surname referring to a brave warrior or a dweller near a clearing.
also spelled
Wytter
Wyttere
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
York City Archives, York Freemen’s Register, 1669
Reaney, P.H., A Dictionary of British Surnames, 1958
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chevronProtection, and faithful service completed
crescentHonour by the sovereign, and the second son
chevronProtection, and faithful service completed
crescentHonour by the sovereign, and the second son
