A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Appleford family of Wales.
Reg. 6482 · Welsh, A–C
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
chiefAuthority, wisdom and dominion
cinquefoilHope and joy
Colours
Silver (Argent)Means: Peace and sincerity
Green (Vert)Means: Hope
Red (Gules)Means: Military strength
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 cinquefoil, gu. and a chief vert”
Walesc. 1647
Where the Appleford Arms Were Recorded
Denbigh
Map of Wales showing where the Appleford arms are recorded
The Appleford 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 Appleford 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 Appleford Family in Wales
The surname Appleford is a locational name, meaning it likely originated from a specific place where early family members lived. The name is derived from Old English words that suggest a settlement near a ford where apple trees grew. By 1647, records confirm that members of the Appleford family were established in the town of Denbigh in North Wales. During this period, Denbigh was a significant market town with a rich history of trade and local governance. The presence of the family there indicates they were likely part of the local community of artisans or landowners who helped shape the region during the seventeenth century. As the family grew, they moved through various parts of Britain, carrying the name forward as a link to their early roots in the Welsh landscape.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
æppel and ford
Old English words for fruit and a shallow river crossing.
This name
ApplefordA topographical name denoting someone who lived near a river crossing by an apple tree.
also spelled
Appelford
Appulford
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
chiefAuthority, wisdom and dominion
cinquefoilHope and joy
chiefAuthority, wisdom and dominion
cinquefoilHope and joy
