Map of England showing where the Wyatt arms are recorded
The Wyatt arms were recorded in Devon, c. 1620.
Devon was a county of small manors and seafaring families. Its gentry were spread thickly across the countryside, and money made at sea often bought an estate, which in turn brought a coat 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 England in this period.
James VI and I
Sovereign of the period
James VI and I
1603–1625
Reigning in England when the Wyatt 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 Devon.
Origin & History of the Wyatt Family in England
The surname Wyatt has deep roots in the English language, originating as a medieval personal name derived from the Old English words "wig," meaning war, and "heard," meaning brave or hardy. By the time the name became a hereditary surname in the Middle Ages, it was most commonly found in the southwestern regions of England. Historical records confirm that the family established a strong presence in Devon by 1620, where they were often involved in local agriculture and trade. During this period, families in Devon frequently lived in small, tight-knit rural communities that relied on the local parish church for record-keeping. Because the name was relatively common in the West Country, many early Wyatts were yeoman farmers who held land and played active roles in their local village governance. Their migration patterns and social standing during the early 17th century reflect the broader movement of families who helped shape the cultural landscape of the English countryside before many eventually sought new opportunities across the Atlantic.
Wyatt Meaning & Related Branches
Root word
Wigheard
Derived from Old English elements meaning war and brave or hardy.
This name
WyattA surname originating from a personal name signifying a brave warrior in battle.
also spelled
Wiat
Wiatt
Related arms
Wyatsame arms
Wiatvariant spelling
Wyotvariant spelling
Wyottvariant spelling
Documented Sources
Sir Bernard Burke, The General Armory of England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales, London: Harrison & Sons, 1884
Reaney, P.H., A Dictionary of English Surnames, 1991
Hoskins, W.G., Devon, 1954
The National Archives, Parish registers and probate records for the Diocese of Exeter, 1620
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
duckResourcefulness on land and water
ringFidelity, and a promise kept
duckResourcefulness on land and water
ringFidelity, and a promise kept
