A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Allwright family of England.
Reg. 8209 · English, A–C
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
bendDefence, and the scarf of a commander
Colours
Red (Gules)Means: Military strength
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)
“Gu. a bend or, and three sinister bendlets ar. the centre one surmounting the bend”
Englandc. 1620
Where the Allwright Arms Were Recorded
York
Map of England showing where the Allwright arms are recorded
The Allwright 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 Allwright 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 Allwright Family in England
The surname Allwright is an occupational name that originated in England during the Middle Ages. It was traditionally given to a person who was a skilled worker or a master craftsman, specifically someone known as an "all-wright" or a person capable of working with various materials like wood and metal. By the year 1620, records confirm that members of the Allwright family were well-established in the historic city of York. During this period, York was a major center for trade and craft guilds, which provided a natural environment for families with skilled artisan backgrounds to thrive. These early ancestors likely played an active role in the local economy, contributing their specialized labor to the city's growing industries and urban development. Over time, the family name became a permanent fixture in the region, reflecting a long history of craftsmanship and community involvement in Northern England.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Old English al-riht
Derived from the words for all and correct or upright.
This name
AllwrightA descriptive occupational or character name denoting someone who is entirely honest, virtuous, or morally upright.
also spelled
Allwrite
Alwrite
Allwryght
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., A Dictionary of British Surnames, 1958
Borthwick Institute for Archives, York Diocesan Probate Records, 1620
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
bendDefence, and the scarf of a commander
bendDefence, and the scarf of a commander
