A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Adlington family of England.
Reg. 9380 · English, A–C
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
chevronProtection, and faithful service completed
antelopeHarmony, polity and peace
Colours
Black (Sable)Means: Constancy
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)
“Sa. a chev. betw. three antelopes' heads ar. attired or”
LancasterAdlington · Lancaster, c. 1567
Where the Adlington Arms Were Recorded
Lancaster
Map of England showing where the Adlington arms are recorded
The Adlington arms were recorded in Lancaster, c. 1567.
Lancashire was divided among a great many small landed families, more than most northern counties. Estates were passed down whole rather than split up, so the same names hold the same ground for centuries in the records.
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.
Elizabeth I of England
Sovereign of the period
Elizabeth I of England
1558–1603
Reigning in England when the Adlington 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 Lancaster.
Origin & History of the Adlington Family in England
The surname Adlington is a locative name, which means it was originally taken from a specific place rather than a trade or a personal characteristic. The name refers to the township of Adlington, located in the historic county of Lancashire in North West England. By the mid-sixteenth century, the family had firmly established roots in this region, as evidenced by records confirming their presence in Lancashire by 1567. During this era, families often adopted the name of their home village to distinguish themselves as they moved or grew within the local community. Because the name is tied to a geographic location, it reflects the deep connection between early English families and the specific landscapes where they lived and worked for generations.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Aethel
Old English term meaning noble or of noble birth.
This name
AdlingtonRefers to the settlement or estate belonging to a person of noble descent.
also spelled
Adlyngton
Adlynton
Documented Sources
Sir Bernard Burke, The General Armory of England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales, London: Harrison & Sons, 1884
Farrer, William and Brownbill, John, The Victoria History of the County of Lancaster, 1911
Reaney, Percy H., A Dictionary of British Surnames, 1958
The National Archives, Lancashire Quarter Sessions Records, QSP/1/1
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
antelopeHarmony, polity and peace
chevronProtection, and faithful service completed
antelopeHarmony, polity and peace
