Map of England showing where the Alfred arms are recorded
The Alfred 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 Alfred 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 Alfred Family in England
The name Alfred originates from the Old English words "ælf," meaning elf, and "ræd," meaning counsel or advice. This combination suggests that the name was historically associated with wisdom and supernatural guidance. While the name was famously held by King Alfred the Great in the ninth century, it eventually transitioned from a given name into a hereditary surname. By the year 1620, records confirm that families bearing this name were well-established in the city of York. During this period, York was a bustling center of trade and religious life, and families living there were often involved in the local merchant guilds or the skilled craft industries that defined the region. The presence of the Alfred family in such a prominent northern city suggests they were part of the stable middle class that helped sustain the local economy during the early seventeenth century.
Alfred Meaning & Related Branches
Root word
Ælfræd
Derived from Old English words for elf and counsel.
This name
AlfredA wise advisor or one who receives counsel from supernatural beings.
also spelled
Alfrid
Alfryd
Related arms
Elfredvariant spelling
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
York City Archives, York Freemen’s Register, 1272–1759
Hanks, Patrick and Hodges, Flavia, A Dictionary of Surnames, 1988
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
cross symbolChristian faith and service
crownSovereignty, authority and just reward
roundelA coin, and one who has been to the crusades
cross symbolChristian faith and service
crownSovereignty, authority and just reward
roundelA coin, and one who has been to the crusades
