A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Adrian family of England.
Reg. 1827 · English, A–C
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
escallopThe pilgrim's shell, and a long journey made
Colours
Red (Gules)Means: Military strength
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)
“Gu. four escallops in cross or, the top of each shell meeting in the centre point”
Englandc. 1620
Where the Adrian Arms Were Recorded
York
Map of England showing where the Adrian arms are recorded
The Adrian 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 Adrian 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 Adrian Family in England
The family name Adrian originates from the Latin name Hadrianus, which means a person from the city of Hadria in northern Italy. Over many centuries, the name spread across Europe and eventually became popular in England due to its association with early religious figures. By the year 1620, records confirm that members of the Adrian family were well established in the historic city of York. During this period, York was a major center for trade and administration in Northern England. Families living there often worked as skilled craftspeople or merchants who contributed to the local economy. As the name moved through different generations, it evolved from a geographic descriptor into a permanent surname that identified families within their local communities.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Hadrianus
Derived from the Roman city of Hadria meaning from Hadria.
This name
AdrianRefers to a person originating from the ancient Italian town of Adria.
also spelled
Adryan
Adrien
Related arms
Adryanvariant spelling
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, 1901
The National Archives, UK, Prerogative Court of Canterbury Wills, 1620
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
escallopThe pilgrim's shell, and a long journey made
escallopThe pilgrim's shell, and a long journey made
