A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Alleyn family of England.
Reg. 7116 · English, A–C
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
cross symbolChristian faith and service
Colours
Black (Sable)Means: Constancy
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)
“Sa. a cross potent or”
EssexThaxted · Essex, c. 1629
Where the Alleyn Arms Were Recorded
Essex
Map of England showing where the Alleyn arms are recorded
The Alleyn arms were recorded in Essex, c. 1629.
Essex lay close enough to London for City money to buy land there. Merchants who prospered moved out to estates within a day's ride, and a new landowner almost always wanted arms to go with the ground.
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.
Charles I of England
Sovereign of the period
Charles I of England
1625–1649
Reigning in England when the Alleyn 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 Essex.
Origin & History of the Alleyn Family in England
The surname Alleyn is a variant of the name Allen, which traces its origins back to the ancient Celtic name Alun, meaning harmony or stone. The name became popular across England following the Norman Conquest, as it was frequently used by settlers from Brittany. By the early 17th century, the Alleyn family had established a notable presence in the county of Essex. Records from 1629 confirm that members of the family were living in this region during a period of significant social and economic change in England. These early ancestors were likely part of the local agrarian society, contributing to the development of the Essex countryside through farming and trade. As the name spread through different parishes, it became a fixture of the local community, reflecting the broader movement and growth of families in southeastern England during the seventeenth century.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Alain
A Celtic name of uncertain origin, possibly meaning little rock.
This name
AlleynA patronymic surname derived from the Old French personal name meaning handsome or cheerful.
also spelled
Allyn
Allen
Aleyne
Related arms
Alenvariant spelling
Aleynevariant spelling
Allenvariant spelling
Allynvariant spelling
Documented Sources
Sir Bernard Burke, The General Armory of England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales, London: Harrison & Sons, 1884
Reaney, P.H., A Dictionary of British Surnames, 1958
Essex Record Office, Parish Registers of Essex, 1629
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