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From www.HouseOfNames.com Archives copyright © 2000 - 2009

Origins Available: English, German

Where did the English Helms family come from? What is the English coat of arms/family crest? When did the Helms family first arrive in the United States? Where did the various branches of the family go? What is the history of the family name?

The founding heritage of the Helms family is in the Anglo-Saxon culture that once dominated in Britain. The name Helms comes from when one of the family worked as a herdsman. The surname Helms is derived from the Old English word helm, which means a covering. In some later dialects, this word took on the which means of a roofed shelter for cattle. Occupational names such as Helms frequently were derived from the principal object associated with the activity of the original bearer, such as tools or products. These types of occupational surnames are called metonymic surnames.

The first dictionaries that appeared in the last few hundred years did much to standardize the English language. Before that time, spelling variations in names were a common occurrence. The language was changing, incorporating pieces of other languages, and the spelling of names changed with it. Helms has been spelled many different ways, including Helme, Helm, Helms and others.

First found in Surrey where they were seated from very ancient times, some say well before the Norman Conquest and the arrival of Duke William at Hastings in 1066 A.D.

Thousands of English families in this era began to emigrate the New World in search of land and freedom from religious and political persecution. Although the passage was expensive and the ships were dark, crowded, and unsafe, those who made the voyage safely were rewarded with opportunities unavailable to them in their homeland. Research into passenger and immigration lists has revealed some of the very first Helmss to arrive in North America: Peter Helm, his wife, and six sons and one daughter who arrived in 1709 in New England; Daniel Helm arrived in New England in 1768.

For more information on the last name Helms, the PDF Surname History is available for purchase as well as other products.


Suggested Readings for the name Helms
  • Chronicles of a Virginia Family: the Klomans of Warrenton by Erasmum Helm Kloman.
  • Helms Descendants 1720-1991 by Gerald C. Helms.

Some noteworthy people of the name Helms


Tell Me More About Family Crests


Family Crests: the Heraldic Artist


We have researched the Helms family crest in the most recognized sources. Before an artist or craftsman can render a family crest, it must exist. In other words the crest must have been designed and recorded by the heralds from time immemorial.

Heraldic designs matriculated by the lay-artist in many cases becomes uninspired, meretricious and even ugly...

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Family Crests: Timeline


Many of the symbols adopted into armory have been used since the time of the ancient Egyptians, but heraldry itself did not begin until the 11th century. In continental Europe, the most ancient recorded family crest was discovered upon the monumental effigy of a Count of Wasserburg in the church of St. Emeran, at Ratisobon, Germany...

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Family Crests: Elements


In the Helms coat of arms as in all coat of arms the crest is only one element of the full armorial achievement. Again the Family Crest is just part of the story of Coats of Arms or Heraldry. Heraldry is defined as the hereditary art or science of blazoning, the description is appropriate technical terms of Coats-of-Arms and other heraldic and armorial insignia, and is of very ancient origin...

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Family Crests and Genealogy: how they relate


We encourage you to study the Helms genealogy to find out if you descend from someone who bore a particular family crest. Anyone making a study of heraldry usually becomes interested in Genealogy or seeking legal claim to a particular family crest. No families, not even the royal houses, can make sound claim to the right to bear arms unless a proven connection is established through attested Genealogical records...

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Helms Family Crest Products


Anniversary products for the name Helms.
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Armorial histories for the name Helms.
Ceramics proudly displaying the Helms family crest.
Clip art of all the most used heraldic pieces.
Coat of Arms for the name Helms.
Downloads with a Helms family crest.
Family Crest for the name Helms.
Family Tree revealing the Helms family crest.
Hand Painted Plaques displaying the Helms family crest.
Keychains emphasing the family crest for the name Helms.
Mouse pads featuring the family crest for the surname Helms.
New Products with a Helms family crest.
Packages proudly displaying the Helms coat of arms.
Plaques and Frames displaying the Helms family crest.
Surname Histories for the name Helms.
Symbolism proudly displaying the Helms coat of arms.
Travel Mugs with a Helms coat of arms.
Popular Products
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Coat of Arms & Surname History Package
Family Crest Image (jpg) Heritage Series - 300 DPI
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The Helms Family Crest was acquired from the Houseofnames.com archives. The Helms Family Crest was drawn according to heraldic standards based on published blazons. We generally include the oldest published family crest once associated with each surname.

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