A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Abercorn family of Wales.
Reg. 2303 · Welsh, A–C
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
chevronProtection, and faithful service completed
mulletThe third son, and a divine quality from above
Colours
Silver (Argent)Means: Peace and sincerity
Black (Sable)Means: Constancy
Red (Gules)Means: Military strength
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 chev. sa. betw. three mullets gu”
Walesc. 1647
Where the Abercorn Arms Were Recorded
Denbigh
Map of Wales showing where the Abercorn arms are recorded
The Abercorn arms were recorded in Wales, c. 1647.
Arms such as these were typically recorded in Denbigh.
Denbighshire was north Welsh country of hills and small estates. Land was held by a great many families rather than a few, and each holding brought its own claim to 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 Wales in this period.
Charles I of England
Sovereign of the period
Charles I of England
1625–1649
Reigning in Wales when the Abercorn arms are first recorded.
How Arms Worked in Wales
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 Wales.
Origin & History of the Abercorn Family in Wales
The surname Abercorn originates from a place name in West Lothian, Scotland, which translates from the Gaelic and Cumbric languages to mean the mouth of the Cornie Burn. While the name is tied to this Scottish geography, historical records confirm that members of the family were established in the town of Denbigh, Wales, by 1647. During this period, families often moved across the British Isles for trade, military service, or religious reasons, which likely explains the family's presence in North Wales. Those living in Denbigh during the mid-seventeenth century would have navigated a landscape defined by the aftermath of the English Civil War, as the town served as a significant royalist stronghold. By settling in this region, the family became part of the local social fabric, transitioning from their ancient Scottish roots to a new life in the Welsh borderlands.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Aber-Corn
A confluence of a river and a horn-shaped valley or stream.
This name
AbercornRefers to a settlement located at the mouth of the Corn river.
also spelled
Aberkorn
Aberkorne
Abircorn
Documented Sources
Sir Bernard Burke, The General Armory of England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales, London: Harrison & Sons, 1884
National Library of Wales, Denbighshire Quarter Sessions Records (1647)
Nicolaisen, W.F.H., Scottish Place-Names: Their Study and Significance, 1976
Williams, G., Recovery, Reorientation and Reformation: Wales c. 1415–1642, 1987
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
mulletThe third son, and a divine quality from above
chevronProtection, and faithful service completed
mulletThe third son, and a divine quality from above
