A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Alyson family of England.
Reg. 9920 · English, A–C
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
fessThe military belt, and readiness to serve
boars headA fierce fighter who battles to the end
Colours
Silver (Argent)Means: Peace and sincerity
Blue (Azure)Means: Loyalty and truth
Black (Sable)Means: Constancy
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)
“Ar. a fesse az. betw. three boars' heads couped sa”
KentKent, c. 1583
Where the Alyson Arms Were Recorded
Kent
Map of England showing where the Alyson arms are recorded
The Alyson arms were recorded in Kent, c. 1583.
Kent sits between London and the short crossing to Europe, and the trade passing through made it wealthy. Merchant families bought land with that money, and it was landowners who took coats 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 England in this period.
Elizabeth I of England
Sovereign of the period
Elizabeth I of England
1558–1603
Reigning in England when the Alyson 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 Kent.
Origin & History of the Alyson Family in England
The surname Alyson traces its roots to the medieval practice of using patronymic names, which were derived from the first name of a father or mother. In this case, the name originated as a variation of Alice, meaning son of Alice. By the late sixteenth century, the family had established a notable presence in the county of Kent, England. Records from 1583 confirm that members of the family were living and working in this region during the reign of Queen Elizabeth I. Life in Kent at this time was defined by the local agricultural economy and the proximity to trade routes leading into London. As the family grew, they integrated into the local parish systems, which served as the primary method for tracking births, marriages, and deaths in the community. This transition from a simple descriptive name to a formal family surname reflects the broader social changes occurring in England as families began to settle in specific regions for generations.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Adalheidis
A Germanic name composed of elements meaning noble and kind.
This name
AlysonA patronymic form derived from Alice, signifying noble nature or of noble birth.
also spelled
Alisson
Allison
Alison
Related arms
Alisonvariant spelling
Allisonvariant 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., A Dictionary of British Surnames, 1958
The National Archives, Parish registers of Kent, series P
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
boars headA fierce fighter who battles to the end
fessThe military belt, and readiness to serve
boars headA fierce fighter who battles to the end
