A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Alford family lines. Documented in 2 countries.
Reg. 0608 · English, A–C
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
stagPeace and harmony, and one who will not fight unprovoked
branchPeace, and new growth
Colours
Silver (Argent)Means: Peace and sincerity
Blue (Azure)Means: Loyalty and truth
Green (Vert)Means: Hope
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)
“Ar. a hind's head couped az. collared or, betw. two hazel boughs vert fructed gold”
SuffolkIpswich · Suffolk, c. 1620
Where the Alford Arms Were Recorded
Suffolk
Map of England showing where the Alford arms are recorded
The Alford arms were recorded in Suffolk, c. 1620.
Suffolk was wool country, and its cloth towns were among the wealthiest in England. Clothier families bought manors with their profits, and holding a manor was the ordinary route to a coat 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 Alford 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 Suffolk.
Origin & History of the Alford Family in England
The family name Alford originated in England as a locational surname, meaning it was first used to identify people who lived near a specific river crossing or ford. The name is derived from the Old English words "eald," meaning old, and "ford," meaning a shallow place in a river. By the early 17th century, the family had established a notable presence in the county of Suffolk. Records from 1620 confirm that members of the Alford family were living in this region, where they were likely involved in the local agricultural or trade communities that defined rural English life at the time. As the family grew, they became part of the social fabric of East Anglia, eventually participating in the broader migration patterns that saw many English families move across the Atlantic during the colonial period.
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
chiefAuthority, wisdom and dominion
applePeace, plenty and long-standing settlement
Colours
Red (Gules)Means: Military strength
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)
“Gu. six pears or, three, two, and one, a chief of the second”
DenbighDenbigh, c. 1615
Where the Alford Arms Were Recorded
Denbigh
Map of Wales showing where the Alford arms are recorded
The Alford arms were recorded in Denbigh, c. 1615.
Denbighshire was north Welsh country of hills and small estates. Land was held by a great many families rather than a few, and each holding brought its own claim to a coat 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 Wales in this period.
James VI and I
Sovereign of the period
James VI and I
1603–1625
Reigning in England when the Alford arms are first recorded.
How Arms Worked in Wales
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 Denbigh.
Origin & History of the Alford Family in Wales
The Alford family name carries a deep history rooted in the landscape of North Wales, particularly within the historic county of Denbighshire. By the early seventeenth century, records confirm that members of the family were well-established residents of Denbigh by 1615. During this period, Denbigh was a bustling market town and a center of regional administration, which suggests that the Alfords were likely involved in the local trade, legal, or agricultural life of the area. The name itself reflects the linguistic shifts of the British Isles, as it likely originated from Old English roots meaning an old river crossing. Over generations, families like the Alfords integrated into the Welsh social fabric, navigating the complex political and religious changes that defined life in the borderlands of the Welsh Marches. Their presence in Denbigh highlights how families often settled in strategic towns to build livelihoods and contribute to the growth of their local communities.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Ealdford
Old English words for old and ford or river crossing.
This name
AlfordRefers to a person who lived near an ancient or established river crossing.
also spelled
Alferd
Related arms
Alderfordsimilar arms
Alvardesimilar arms
Aylwardsimilar arms
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
Mills, A.D., A Dictionary of English Place-Names, 1991
Suffolk Archives, Parish Register Transcripts for Suffolk, 1620
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
stagPeace and harmony, and one who will not fight unprovoked
branchPeace, and new growth
stagPeace and harmony, and one who will not fight unprovoked
branchPeace, and new growth
chiefAuthority, wisdom and dominion
applePeace, plenty and long-standing settlement
