A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Adan family of England.
Reg. 7051 · English, A–C
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
chevronProtection, and faithful service completed
arms pheon arrowheadReadiness for battle, and the broad arrow of the sovereign
Colours
Green (Vert)Means: Hope
Silver (Argent)Means: Peace and sincerity
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)
“Vert on a chev. ar. three pheons of the field”
Englandc. 1620
Where the Adan Arms Were Recorded
York
Map of England showing where the Adan arms are recorded
The Adan arms were recorded in England, c. 1620.
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.
James VI and I
Sovereign of the period
James VI and I
1603–1625
Reigning in England when the Adan 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 Adan Family in England
The surname Adan carries a deep history that is rooted in the linguistic traditions of medieval Europe. It is widely considered a variation of the name Adam, which originates from the Hebrew word for earth or ground. By the early 17th century, families bearing this name were already established in England, with records confirming their presence in the city of York by 1620. During this period, York was a bustling center of trade and religious life, and families like the Adans were often involved in local commerce or skilled craftsmanship. As the name spread through the region, it evolved in spelling based on local dialects and the way scribes recorded names in parish registers. This transition from a biblical root to a settled English family name reflects the broader patterns of migration and social development that defined life in northern England during the seventeenth century.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Adam
Hebrew word meaning earth or red clay.
This name
AdanA patronymic surname derived from the biblical name meaning son of the first man.
also spelled
Addane
Adain
Documented Sources
Sir Bernard Burke, The General Armory of England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales, London: Harrison & Sons, 1884
Reaney, P.H. and Wilson, R.M., A Dictionary of English Surnames, 1991
Bardsley, Charles Wareing, A Dictionary of English and Welsh Surnames with Special American Instances, 1901
The National Archives, Parish Register Transcripts of York, 1620
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
arms pheon arrowheadReadiness for battle, and the broad arrow of the sovereign
chevronProtection, and faithful service completed
arms pheon arrowheadReadiness for battle, and the broad arrow of the sovereign
