Map of England showing where the Alger arms are recorded
The Alger 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 Alger 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 Alger Family in England
The family name Alger traces its roots back to Old English and Old Norse origins, derived from the given name Aethelgar, which translates to noble spear. By the time the name became a hereditary surname, it was most commonly found in the eastern regions of England. Records confirm that members of the Alger family were established in the city of York by 1620, where they lived as part of the growing urban population during the early seventeenth century. During this period, the family likely worked in the trades or local commerce that defined the economy of northern English cities. As the name spread through different regions, it evolved in spelling, though it consistently maintained its connection to these early ancestral roots. The presence of the family in a major historical hub like York suggests they were well-integrated into the local community long before the era of mass migration.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Adalgari
Derived from the Germanic elements adal meaning noble and gari meaning spear.
This name
AlgerAn English surname originating from the Old English name Aethelgar, signifying a noble spearman.
also spelled
Alger
Algor
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
Bardsley, Charles Wareing, A Dictionary of English and Welsh Surnames, 1901
York City Archives, York Freemen’s Register, 1620
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
eagleNobility, strength and a keen mind
eagleNobility, strength and a keen mind
