Palmer coat of arms
Pat Fielding
have been sent is "par sit fortuna labori" Further information to
anyone interested in Palmer research.Thanks...Pat
Pat Fielding
Ther photograph I was sent is in black and white but I believe the
colours are as follows:
Red background with a gold chevron (which is spotted) It has three
silver crescents and on the top of the shield is, I believe, a Wyvern
(statant). I was told the this shield denotes a second son. Motto is
"Par Sit Fortuna Lbori"
I can remember my Dad years ago saying our family motto was "if you
want any money you have to work for it"!!!!!!!!!! (roughly translated
I guess)
I was sent this photograph from a gentleman in the Bahamas who is
distantly related to me. I have never been certain if this is in fact
my Palmer's shield as I have seen so many different Palmer crests etc.
Tracing my family tree, I have only been able to still only get as far
back as my gt grandfather who was a seaman and born in Goole,
Yorkshire, about 1835, so I can't even say I know anything about his
family.
Thank you for your interest - I look forward to any comments you have
to make as I really know nothing at all about heraldry.
Thank you..........Pat
Derek Howard
Are you sure that the photo shows a red (Gules) background (the
“field”)? The spots on the chevron are indicative that this is gold
(Or). Is the background lined (hatched) in any way – vertical lines for
red or cross hatched for black?
The arms you describe are identical with those you have already spotted
on previous correspondence used by the Palmer baronets of Carlton in
Northamptonshire only their shield has a field Sable (black) a chevron
Or between three crescents Argent. They also have the crest of a wyvern
and the motto “Par sit fortuna labori”. So either the arms you have are
theirs, or theirs differenced to show a relationship, or theirs
differenced to hint at a connection which may not exist.
The Palmers baronets of Carlton survive (or at least suvived up to my
1960s edition of Debrett's).
There are some 26 Palmer families in Edmondson’s list of 1780. The
Palmers of Carl(e)ton in Northants. Bore a wyvern with wings endorsed
vert and another version with a wyvern Or.
Other families from Northants had similar designs suggesting connections
– Palmer of Stockdale bore Sable a chevron engrailed between 3 crescents
Argent and as crest: a cubit arm erect in coat of mail proper holding in
the hand of the last a halbert Sable headed Argent; or another version
for Palmer of Stokedale and Wadesdon, Bucks.: Azure a chevron engrailed
between 3 crescents Argent, as crest: a cubit arm erect in mail proper
holding a halbert Sable headed Argent; another varient for the same
family with the crest being: a Griffin’s head Argent issuing out of rays
proper granted by Elizabeth I. This suggests that changing the field
tincture was a mark of difference amongst the Northamptonshire Palmers.
Current practice would not accept only one difference unless there was
indeed a relationship of sorts. So perhaps a field Gules is some
indication of relationship.
The Dictionary of British Arms vol 2 show that Sable a chevron between 3
crescents Argent was used before the 16th century by the family of
Babthorp(e) who lived around Howden, York and Selby. Perhaps the Palmers
of Carlton had inherited their arms from the Babthorpes or changed their
name?
The Harleian Society’s volume listing grants or arms in the 17th century
contains one by Walker to John Palmer MA Archdeacon of Northamptonshire,
Elias Palmer of Stepney in Middlesex and Nathaniel Palmer of Kingston
upon Hull, all sons of Joseph Palmer late of Croyredy, Northamptonshire,
gentleman, deceased 3 May 1670 (refs to British Library Add MSS 14293,
f.74, 14292 f.22, Harl MS 1172, f.61b and Guillim 118 copy grant). I
have had a quick look in one edition of Guillim without spotting any
copy grant. There is no indication as to what the arms were so the
sources should be checked to see if they are relevant but it does link
some Northamptonshire Palmers with Humberside.
Guillim in 1679 includes a number of arms for Palmer families, in
particular the Palmers of Howlets parish of Beakburn in Kent whose arms
bore three purses instead of the three crescents and for whom Guillim
gives considerable genealogical details presumably taken from the
visitations; and the arms of Sir Lewis Palmer of Carleton , Northants.,
Baronet, son and heir of Sir Geffrey Palmer Knight and Baronet,
deceased, Attorney General to King Charles II.
Some 18 Palmer families appeared in the 16th and 17th century heraldic
visitations of England plus a number of other mentions (disclaimers,
etc). The Palmers of Carlton co Northants and Stoke Doyle, Rutland
apparently appear in the 1566 and 1618-9 visitations of
Northamptonshire. The visitations of Northamptonshire of 1564 and 1618-9
were published in 1887, edited by Metcalf. You should check this if you
wish to pursue the heraldic family further.
In summary: you may have been given a copy of the Palmer of Carlton arms
or of something which is intended to resemble them. The arms you have
been given could have been used anciently or more probably not if red.
If red they could have been adopted or granted in the 19th century or
recently (though I have not found any obvious grant of them listed in
the19th century). Even if used, whether lawfully or without lawful
authority, there is no indication that you are entitled to them. If the
arms are indeed those of a branch of the Palmers of Carlton you would
have to be descended in the male line from the family to use them. You
should continue your genealogical research carefully going backwards
from your Goole ancestors – you never know what you might find a couple
of generations or more earlier and the status of a seaman is not
necessarily indicative of that of his great grandfather. Try posting to
Yorksgen at Rootsweb for advice on pursuing the genealogy.
Derek Howard