A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Alday family of England.
Reg. 2511 · English, A–C
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
chevronProtection, and faithful service completed
griffinValour and vigilance, guarding great treasure
Colours
Red (Gules)Means: Military strength
ErmineMeans: 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)
“Gu. a chev. erm. betw. three griffins segreant of the second, those in chief respecting each other”
Englandc. 1620
Where the Alday Arms Were Recorded
York
Map of England showing where the Alday arms are recorded
The Alday 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 Alday 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 Alday Family in England
The family name Alday has deep roots in the historic city of York, where records confirm members of the family were living as early as 1620. During this period, York was a bustling center of trade and religious life in Northern England, and families like the Aldays were often integrated into the local merchant or artisan classes. The name itself is thought to be a variation of Old English or Old French naming conventions, potentially relating to a person who lived near a specific landmark or held a particular occupation. As the seventeenth century progressed, the family likely navigated the significant political and social shifts of the English Civil War, which deeply impacted the city of York. By staying rooted in such a prominent urban environment, the early Aldays were part of the foundational history of a city that served as a gateway to the north for centuries.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Eald-dæg
Old English words meaning old or ancient and day.
This name
AldayA topographical or habitational name referring to someone who lived during an older era or time.
also spelled
Aldey
Alda
Documented Sources
Sir Bernard Burke, The General Armory of England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales, London: Harrison & Sons, 1884
Baines, Edward, History, Directory and Gazetteer of the County of York, 1822
The National Archives, State Papers Domestic, James I, 1620
York City Archives, York House Books, 1620
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
griffinValour and vigilance, guarding great treasure
chevronProtection, and faithful service completed
griffinValour and vigilance, guarding great treasure
