Map of England showing where the Allison arms are recorded
The Allison arms were recorded in Cambridge, c. 1620.
Cambridgeshire was flat, rich farming country with the university at its centre. Fen drainage made new land and new fortunes, and families who gained by it bought manors and took arms to match.
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 Allison 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 Cambridge.
Origin & History of the Allison Family in England
The surname Allison originated as a patronymic, meaning it was derived from the name of a father or ancestor. It is a variation of the name Alice, which traces back to the Old French and Germanic roots meaning noble or kind. By the early 17th century, families bearing this name were well-established in England, including those residing in the university town of Cambridge by 1620. During this period, many individuals with the surname Allison were part of the growing movement of people who sought new opportunities across the Atlantic. As these families migrated, they carried their name into colonial records, helping to solidify its presence in the historical landscape of early North America. The name reflects a long tradition of naming customs where family identity was closely tied to the personal names of previous generations.
Allison Meaning & Related Branches
Root word
Adalheidis
A Germanic name composed of elements meaning noble and kind or sort.
This name
AllisonA patronymic form derived from Alice, signifying noble nature or of noble birth.
also spelled
Alison
Allisson
Allieson
Allyson
Alyson
Related arms
Alisonvariant spelling
Allieson, or Allisonvariant spelling
Allysonvariant spelling
Alysonvariant spelling
Documented Sources
Sir Bernard Burke, The General Armory of England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales, London: Harrison & Sons, 1884
Bardsley, Charles Wareing, A Dictionary of English and Welsh Surnames, 1901
Reaney, P.H. and Wilson, R.M., A Dictionary of English Surnames, 1991
The National Archives (UK), State Papers Domestic, James I, 1620
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
fessThe military belt, and readiness to serve
bordureA difference between branches of one family
martletA younger son, who must win his own land
fessThe military belt, and readiness to serve
bordureA difference between branches of one family
martletA younger son, who must win his own land
