A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Alyn family of Wales.
Reg. 9524 · Welsh, A–C
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
fessThe military belt, and readiness to serve
Colours
Blue (Azure)Means: Loyalty and truth
ErmineMeans: Dignity
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)
“Az. a fess nebuly erm”
Walesc. 1647
Where the Alyn Arms Were Recorded
Denbigh
Map of Wales showing where the Alyn arms are recorded
The Alyn arms were recorded in Wales, c. 1647.
Arms such as these were typically recorded in Denbigh.
Denbighshire was north Welsh country of hills and small estates. Land was held by a great many families rather than a few, and each holding brought its own claim to a coat of 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 Wales in this period.
Charles I of England
Sovereign of the period
Charles I of England
1625–1649
Reigning in Wales when the Alyn arms are first recorded.
How Arms Worked in Wales
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 Wales.
Origin & History of the Alyn Family in Wales
The surname Alyn has deep roots in the Welsh landscape, with historical records confirming that members of the family were established in the town of Denbigh by 1647. During this period, Denbigh was a significant market town and a center of regional administration, which suggests that the family likely played an active role in the local economy or civic life. The name itself is often linked to the medieval personal name Alan, which became popular across Britain following the Norman influence in the eleventh century. Over several generations, this personal name evolved into a hereditary surname as families began to adopt fixed identifiers to distinguish themselves within their communities. By settling in Denbigh, the Alyn family became part of a long tradition of Welsh social history, where families often remained tied to specific geographic areas for centuries. This regional presence highlights how the family name was carried forward through the daily lives of farmers, merchants, and tradespeople who helped shape the character of North Wales.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Alun
Derived from the Celtic word for harmony or stone.
This name
AlynA Welsh variant of Alan, traditionally interpreted as meaning handsome or cheerful.
also spelled
Alin
Aline
Allin
Related arms
Allinvariant spelling
Documented Sources
Sir Bernard Burke, The General Armory of England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales, London: Harrison & Sons, 1884
Davies, John, A History of Wales, 1990
Denbighshire Archives, Quarter Sessions Records of the County of Denbigh, 1647
Reaney, P.H., A Dictionary of English Surnames, 1958
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fessThe military belt, and readiness to serve
fessThe military belt, and readiness to serve
