A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Wolfe family lines. Documented in 3 countries.
Reg. 8086 · Britain, W–Z
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
chevronProtection, and faithful service completed
wolfReward from long service and hard work
Colours
Silver (Argent)Means: Peace and sincerity
Black (Sable)Means: Constancy
Historical info
Source
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Blazon (the actual original written record)
“D'arg. au chev. de sa., acc. de trois têtes de loup du même, ch. chacune d'une couronne murale du champ [Armes du général W., tué à la prise de Québec, en 1759.]”
KentKent, c. 1700
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Map of Britain showing where the Wolfe arms are recorded
The Wolfe arms were recorded in Kent, c. 1700.
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 Wolfe 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 Kent.
Origin & History of the Wolfe Family in Britain
The surname Wolfe finds its roots in the Old English word for the wild canine, reflecting a time when nicknames based on animals were common ways to describe a person’s character or appearance. In Britain, the name likely began as a descriptive label for someone perceived to be as fierce or cunning as a wolf. By the time the family was firmly established in the county of Kent during the early 1700s, the name had evolved from a simple nickname into a formal hereditary surname passed down through generations. Families living in Kent during this period were often involved in the local agricultural or maritime trades that defined the region. As the name spread across the British Isles, it became a marker of a family’s long-standing connection to their local community and their ancestors' historical role in the English landscape.
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
wolfReward from long service and hard work
Colours
Silver (Argent)Means: Peace and sincerity
Black (Sable)Means: Constancy
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)
“Ar. a wolf salient sa”
LeicesterLeicester, c. 1619
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Map of England showing where the Wolfe arms are recorded
The Wolfe arms were recorded in Leicester, c. 1619.
Leicestershire was grazing country, and wool and cattle made steady money rather than spectacular fortunes. Steady money bought manors, and manors are what brought families into the registers.
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 Wolfe 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 Leicester.
Origin & History of the Wolfe Family in England
The surname Wolfe is a classic example of a name derived from a nickname or a personal descriptor, rooted in the Old English word "wulf." In medieval England, such names were often given to individuals who displayed the perceived traits of a wolf, such as bravery, ferocity, or a solitary nature. By the time the family was firmly established in Leicester by 1619, the name had transitioned from a simple descriptive label into a formal hereditary surname. During this period, Leicester was a growing market town where families often settled into specific trades or roles within the local community. The presence of the Wolfe family in regional records from the early 17th century suggests they were part of the stable middle class of the era, living through a time of significant social and economic change in the English Midlands. As the family grew, they became woven into the local history of the region, reflecting the broader movement of English families establishing permanent roots in their home counties.
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
wolfReward from long service and hard work
Colours
Silver (Argent)Means: Peace and sincerity
Black (Sable)Means: Constancy
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)
“Ar. three wolves' heads erased sa. ducally gorged or”
KildareForenaughts · Kildare, c. 1645
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Map of Ireland showing where the Wolfe arms are recorded
The Wolfe arms were recorded in Kildare, c. 1645.
Kildare was flat grazing country close to Dublin, taken early by Norman families. Being near the seat of government meant being near where arms were recorded, which is why so many Kildare names appear.
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 Ireland in this period.
Charles I of England
Sovereign of the period
Charles I of England
1625–1649
Reigning in Britain when the Wolfe arms are first recorded.
How Arms Worked in Ireland
The Ulster King of Arms granted coats of arms to individuals who proved their social standing and good character. These symbols were typically inherited by all legitimate descendants of the original holder. If a family branch wanted a unique look, they could apply for a specific change to their design through the office to ensure their identity remained distinct.
Granting authority
The Ulster King of Arms acted as the official body that regulated and issued all coats of arms throughout Ireland.
How they got arms
Families obtained their arms through formal grants issued by the office after proving their eligibility and paying the required fees.
Where arms were recorded
All official grants were recorded in the registers held by the Ulster King of Arms starting from the year 1552.
The family's standing
Recorded among the armigerous families of Kildare.
Origin & History of the Wolfe Family in Ireland
The Wolfe family name in Ireland has deep roots that trace back to the mid-seventeenth century. While the name itself is of Germanic origin, its presence in County Kildare by 1645 marks the beginning of a long-standing connection to the Irish landscape. During this period, the family established themselves as landowners and members of the local gentry, particularly around the area of Forenaughts. They became deeply integrated into the political and social life of the region over the following generations. By settling in Kildare, the family transitioned from their earlier origins to become a fixture of the local community. Their history reflects the broader patterns of land settlement and social change that defined Ireland during the seventeenth and eighteenth centuries.
Wolfe Meaning & Related Branches
Root word
Wulf
An Old English and Germanic word meaning wolf.
This name
WolfeA nickname for a fierce or predatory person, or a habitational name for someone living near wolf-inhabited areas.
also spelled
Wolf
Wulfe
Wollfe
Wulf
Wolff
Related arms
Wolfsame arms
van der Wolffvariant spelling
Wolffvariant spelling
Woulfevariant spelling
Documented Sources
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Reaney, P.H., A Dictionary of English Surnames, 1958
Cottle, Basil, The Penguin Dictionary of Surnames, 1967
Kent Archives, Parish Registers of Kent, 1700–1750
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
chevronProtection, and faithful service completed
wolfReward from long service and hard work
chevronProtection, and faithful service completed
wolfReward from long service and hard work
