Map of England showing where the Yang arms are recorded
The Yang arms were recorded in England, c. 1578.
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.
Elizabeth I of England
Sovereign of the period
Elizabeth I of England
1558–1603
Reigning in England when the Yang 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 Yang Family in England
The history of the Yang family in England is deeply rooted in the northern city of York, where records confirm their presence as early as 1578. While the name Yang is often associated with Chinese origins, its appearance in sixteenth-century Yorkshire suggests a distinct local lineage or a unique migration story that has persisted for centuries. During this period, York was a bustling center of trade and religious transition, providing a stable environment for families to establish deep roots. Members of the family likely worked as merchants, craftsmen, or laborers who contributed to the growth of the city during the Elizabethan era. By settling in such a historically significant location, the early Yangs became part of the long-standing fabric of northern English society, leaving behind a legacy that spans over four hundred years.
Yang Meaning & Related Branches
Root word
Young
Derived from the Middle English word for youthful or junior.
This name
YangA descriptive surname originally used to distinguish a younger person from an older relative.
also spelled
Young
Documented Sources
Sir Bernard Burke, The General Armory of England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales, London: Harrison & Sons, 1884
Borthwick Institute for Archives, York Diocesan Probate Records
City of York Archives, York House Books
Palliser, D.M., Tudor York, 1979
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
lionCourage, strength and royalty
fleur de lisPurity, light, and the sixth son
lionCourage, strength and royalty
fleur de lisPurity, light, and the sixth son
