Map of England showing where the Aldrich arms are recorded
The Aldrich arms were recorded in Oxfordshire, c. 1620.
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 Aldrich 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 Oxfordshire.
Origin & History of the Aldrich Family in England
The surname Aldrich originates from Old English roots, specifically from the given name Ealdric, which combines the words for old and ruler. This name was common in Anglo-Saxon England and evolved into a hereditary surname as families began to adopt fixed names during the Middle Ages. By the early 17th century, the Aldrich family had established a notable presence in Oxfordshire, England. Records from 1620 confirm that members of the family were living in this region, where they were often involved in local community life and agricultural work. Over time, the family name spread from these rural roots as individuals moved to different parts of Britain and eventually across the Atlantic to the American colonies. The history of the name reflects the broader patterns of English migration and the way that ancient personal names transformed into the family identifiers we recognize today.
Aldrich Meaning & Related Branches
Root word
Ealdric
Old Germanic elements meaning old or noble and ruler.
This name
AldrichAn ancient English name signifying a wise, noble, or experienced ruler.
also spelled
Aldritch
Aldrych
Aldryche
Related arms
Hammondrecorded with Aldrich, same area
Documented Sources
Sir Bernard Burke, The General Armory of England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales, London: Harrison & Sons, 1884
Reaney, P.H. and Wilson, R.M., A Dictionary of English Surnames, 1991
Oxfordshire Archives, Diocese of Oxford Bishop’s Transcripts, 1620
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fessThe military belt, and readiness to serve
bullValour and generosity
fessThe military belt, and readiness to serve
bullValour and generosity
