A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Aldam family of England.
Reg. 8175 · English, A–C
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
sunGlory, splendour and the source of life
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. the sun in splendour or”
KentKent, c. 1620
Where the Aldam Arms Were Recorded
Kent
Map of England showing where the Aldam arms are recorded
The Aldam 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 Aldam 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 Aldam Family in England
The surname Aldam is rooted in the Old English language, likely originating from a combination of words meaning "old" and "home" or "valley." By the early seventeenth century, the family had established a notable presence in the county of Kent. Records from 1620 show members of the family living in this region, which was a hub of agricultural and maritime activity during the Stuart period. Families with this name often worked as yeoman farmers or local tradespeople, contributing to the steady growth of rural English communities. Over time, the name spread from these initial settlements in the southeast as individuals sought new opportunities in trade and land ownership across the country. This early history reflects the typical movement of English families who were deeply connected to the local landscape and the shifting social structures of the seventeenth century.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Ealdhelm
Old or ancient protector derived from Old English elements.
This name
AldamA patronymic surname originating from the Old English personal name meaning old helmet or protector.
also spelled
Aldham
Aldhamme
Related arms
Aldhamvariant spelling
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
Reaney, P.H., A Dictionary of British Surnames, 1958
The National Archives, Kew, Prerogative Court of Canterbury Wills, PROB 11
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
sunGlory, splendour and the source of life
sunGlory, splendour and the source of life
