Map of England showing where the Alcorn arms are recorded
The Alcorn arms were recorded in Kent, c. 1620.
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 Alcorn 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 Alcorn Family in England
The Alcorn family name has roots that trace back to the southern regions of England, with documented evidence placing members of the family in the county of Kent as early as 1620. During this period, the name was often associated with families who lived in rural areas and worked as skilled laborers or farmers. The name itself is thought to be a variation of older occupational or locational terms that evolved through local dialects as people moved between villages. By the seventeenth century, families like the Alcorns were part of the growing population that helped shape the local economy of Kent. As the century progressed, some members of the family began to look toward the Atlantic, eventually becoming part of the early waves of migration to the American colonies in search of new land and opportunities. This movement helped spread the name far beyond its original English borders while maintaining the family's connection to its historical origins.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Aldcorn
Derived from the Old English elements for old and corn or grain.
This name
AlcornA topographical name for someone who lived near a field of old grain.
Documented Sources
Sir Bernard Burke, The General Armory of England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales, London: Harrison & Sons, 1884
C.W. Bardsley, A Dictionary of English and Welsh Surnames, 1901
Kent Archives, Quarter Sessions Records: Q/S/P, 1620
P.H. Reaney, A Dictionary of British Surnames, 1958
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
chiefAuthority, wisdom and dominion
stagPeace and harmony, and one who will not fight unprovoked
chiefAuthority, wisdom and dominion
stagPeace and harmony, and one who will not fight unprovoked
