Map of Wales showing where the Aberdeen arms are recorded
The Aberdeen arms were recorded in Cairnbulg, 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 Aberdeen 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 Aberdeen Family in Wales
The surname Aberdeen is a locative name, meaning it originally identified individuals by the place from which they hailed. While the name is famously linked to the major port city in northeast Scotland, its presence in Denbigh by 1647 suggests a fascinating migration pattern during the seventeenth century. During this period, many families moved across the British Isles for trade, religious reasons, or military service. The arrival of the family in Denbigh indicates that they were part of a mobile population that helped shape local communities in Wales. By settling in this historic market town, early members of the family integrated into a region known for its strong cultural identity and strategic importance. Their presence in local records from the mid-1600s highlights how a name rooted in Scottish geography became established in a completely different landscape through the movement of people in the early modern era.
Aberdeen Meaning & Related Branches
Root word
Aber-deth
Mouth of the river Deth
This name
AberdeenRefers to a location situated at the confluence of a river.
also spelled
Aberdein
Aberdene
Abirdene
Documented Sources
Sir Bernard Burke, The General Armory of England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales, London: Harrison & Sons, 1884
Black, George F., The Surnames of Scotland: Their Origin, Meaning, and History, 1946
Reaney, Percy H., A Dictionary of British Surnames, 1958
National Library of Wales, Denbighshire Quarter Sessions Records
Denbighshire Archives, Parish Registers of Denbigh
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
