A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Addey family of England.
Reg. 7035 · English, A–C
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
fessThe military belt, and readiness to serve
cherubDivine protection over the innocent
Colours
Blue (Azure)Means: Loyalty and truth
Gold (Or)Means: Generosity
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)
“Az. a fesse dauncetté betw. three cherubims' heads or, faces ar”
KentSouthwark · Kent, c. 1615
Where the Addey Arms Were Recorded
Kent
Map of England showing where the Addey arms are recorded
The Addey arms were recorded in Kent, c. 1615.
Kent sits between London and the short crossing to Europe, and the trade passing through made it wealthy. Merchant families bought land with that money, and it was landowners who took coats 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 England in this period.
James VI and I
Sovereign of the period
James VI and I
1603–1625
Reigning in England when the Addey 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 Kent.
Origin & History of the Addey Family in England
The family name Addey has deep roots in the English county of Kent, where records confirm members of the family were living as early as 1615. The name is generally considered a variation of the name Adam, which was a very popular given name in medieval England. Over many generations, people often adopted the names of their ancestors as permanent surnames to help identify their specific household within a village. Because Kent was a major hub for agriculture and trade during the seventeenth century, the Addey family likely worked as farmers or skilled craftsmen who contributed to the local economy. As the family grew, they established a lasting presence in the region, reflecting the common naming patterns and social structures of rural England during that era.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Adam
Hebrew name meaning son of the red earth
This name
AddeyA patronymic surname derived from a medieval pet form of the name Adam
also spelled
Adie
Addey
Addyes
Adis
Documented Sources
Sir Bernard Burke, The General Armory of England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales, London: Harrison & Sons, 1884
Reaney, P.H., A Dictionary of English Surnames, 1958
Cottle, Basil, The Penguin Dictionary of Surnames, 1967
Kent Archives and Local History Centre, Archdeaconry Court of Canterbury Wills, 1615
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
fessThe military belt, and readiness to serve
cherubDivine protection over the innocent
fessThe military belt, and readiness to serve
cherubDivine protection over the innocent
