A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Alder family of England.
Reg. 2590 · English, A–C
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
bordureA difference between branches of one family
crescentHonour by the sovereign, and the second son
Colours
Red (Gules)Means: Military strength
Silver (Argent)Means: Peace and sincerity
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. three crescents erm. and bordure engr. ar”
Englandc. 1620
Where the Alder Arms Were Recorded
York
Map of England showing where the Alder arms are recorded
The Alder 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 Alder 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 Alder Family in England
The surname Alder is rooted in the landscape of medieval England, where it originated as a topographic name for someone who lived near a grove of alder trees. Because these trees thrive in the damp, marshy soil common across northern England, the name likely identified families based on their specific home environment. By the year 1620, historical records confirm that members of the Alder family were well-established in the city of York. During this period, York served as a vital regional hub for trade and administration, suggesting that these early ancestors were likely integrated into the local merchant or artisan classes. As the family grew, they became part of the social fabric of the city, contributing to the long history of northern English life through their presence in local parishes and community records.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Alor
A Germanic word referring to the alder tree.
This name
AlderA topographic name for someone who lived near a grove of alder trees.
also spelled
Aldre
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
Borthwick Institute for Archives, York Diocesan Archives: Parish Registers, 1620
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
bordureA difference between branches of one family
crescentHonour by the sovereign, and the second son
bordureA difference between branches of one family
crescentHonour by the sovereign, and the second son
