Map of England showing where the Allbritton arms are recorded
The Allbritton arms were recorded in Devonshire, 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 Allbritton 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 Devonshire.
Origin & History of the Allbritton Family in England
The surname Allbritton is a regional variation of the English name Albright, which traces its roots back to the Old English personal name Aethelberht. This name combines the elements for noble and bright, suggesting that early bearers were seen as distinguished or honorable individuals. By the year 1620, families carrying this name were firmly established in the county of Devonshire. During this period, Devonshire was a hub of maritime activity and agricultural development, which likely influenced the daily lives and occupations of the early Allbritton ancestors. As the family grew, the spelling evolved from its original roots to the distinct form recognized today. This linguistic shift reflects the way names were often recorded phonetically by local clerks based on how they sounded in the unique dialects of southwestern England.
Allbritton Meaning & Related Branches
Root word
Albright
Derived from the Old English personal name Aethelbeorht meaning noble bright.
This name
AllbrittonA habitational name referring to someone from a settlement associated with the Albright family.
also spelled
Albertyn
Alberten
Documented Sources
Sir Bernard Burke, The General Armory of England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales, London: Harrison & Sons, 1884
Reaney, P.H., A Dictionary of English Surnames, 1958
Hanks, Patrick and Hodges, Flavia, A Dictionary of Surnames, 1988
The National Archives, Exchequer: King's Remembrancer: Lay Subsidy Rolls, 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
roundelA coin, and one who has been to the crusades
bordureA difference between branches of one family
roundelA coin, and one who has been to the crusades
