A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Alde family of England.
Reg. 2192 · English, A–C
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
chiefAuthority, wisdom and dominion
griffinValour and vigilance, guarding great treasure
Colours
ErmineMeans: Dignity
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)
“Erm. on a chief sa. two griffins combatant ar”
KentKent, c. 1620
Where the Alde Arms Were Recorded
Kent
Map of England showing where the Alde arms are recorded
The Alde 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 Alde 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 Alde Family in England
The family name Alde has deep roots in the historical landscape of Kent, England, where members of the family were firmly established by the year 1620. The name likely originates from Old English terminology, potentially derived from the word "ald," meaning old or ancient, which was often used as a descriptive nickname for an elder or a person of long-standing residence in a community. During the seventeenth century, Kent was a bustling region defined by its agricultural productivity and its proximity to the trade routes of the English Channel. Families like the Aldes were typically integrated into the local parish systems, serving as farmers, craftsmen, or tradespeople who helped shape the rural economy of the area. By settling in this region, the family became part of the long tradition of Kentish life, contributing to the social and economic stability of their local parishes long before the era of modern record-keeping.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Ald
Old or ancient
This name
AldeA topographic name for someone living near an old settlement or ancient landmark.
also spelled
Aldey
Aldie
Documented Sources
Sir Bernard Burke, The General Armory of England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales, London: Harrison & Sons, 1884
Everitt, Alan, Continuity and Colonization: The Evolution of Kentish Settlement, 1986
Hasted, Edward, The History and Topographical Survey of the County of Kent, 1797
Kent Archives, Quarter Sessions Records: Q/S/P (Petitions and Orders)
Reaney, P.H., 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
griffinValour and vigilance, guarding great treasure
chiefAuthority, wisdom and dominion
griffinValour and vigilance, guarding great treasure
