A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Addington family of England.
Reg. 4287 · English, A–C
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
paleMilitary strength, and a fortified defence
ermineDignity and rank
chevronProtection, and faithful service completed
Colours
ErmineMeans: Dignity
Counter-ermine (Ermines)Means: Dignity
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)
“Per pale erm. and ermines a chev. counterchanged”
EnglandLondon, c. 1620
Where the Addington Arms Were Recorded
London
Map of England showing where the Addington arms are recorded
The Addington arms were recorded in London, c. 1620.
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 Addington 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 Addington Family in England
The surname Addington is locational in origin, meaning it was originally taken from the names of specific places in England such as Addington in Surrey or Buckinghamshire. These place names derive from Old English roots, likely referring to the estate or settlement of a person named Adda. By the early seventeenth century, members of the Addington family were well-established in London. Historical records confirm their presence in the city by 1620, where they were active as merchants, tradesmen, and members of the growing urban middle class. As London expanded during this era, the Addingtons integrated into the professional life of the capital, contributing to the city’s development as a global center for commerce and administration. Their transition from rural landowners to city dwellers reflects the broader social shifts occurring in England during the early modern period.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Eadda
An Old English personal name meaning rich or prosperous.
This name
AddingtonRefers to the settlement or estate belonging to the kin of Eadda.
also spelled
Addinten
Addyngton
Adington
Adyngton
Addynton
Documented Sources
Sir Bernard Burke, The General Armory of England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales, London: Harrison & Sons, 1884
Bardsley, Charles Wareing, A Dictionary of English and Welsh Surnames, 1901
Mills, Anthony David, A Dictionary of English Place-Names, 1991
The National Archives, Prerogative Court of Canterbury Wills, 1384–1858
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
paleMilitary strength, and a fortified defence
ermineDignity and rank
chevronProtection, and faithful service completed
paleMilitary strength, and a fortified defence
ermineDignity and rank
chevronProtection, and faithful service completed
