A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Atwood family of England.
Reg. 1379 · English, A–C
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
fessThe military belt, and readiness to serve
fleur de lisPurity, light, and the sixth son
Colours
Silver (Argent)Means: Peace and sincerity
Blue (Azure)Means: Loyalty and truth
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)
“Ar. on a fesse raguly az. three fleurs-de-lis or”
EssexBromfield · Essex, c. 1620
Where the Atwood Arms Were Recorded
Essex
Map of England showing where the Atwood arms are recorded
The Atwood arms were recorded in Essex, c. 1620.
Essex lay close enough to London for City money to buy land there. Merchants who prospered moved out to estates within a day's ride, and a new landowner almost always wanted arms to go with the ground.
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 Atwood 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 Essex.
Origin & History of the Atwood Family in England
The surname Atwood is a topographical name, meaning it was originally used to describe someone who lived near a prominent wood or forest. In Middle English, the name was constructed from the words "at" and "wode," identifying an individual as someone who resided at the wood. By the year 1620, records confirm that members of the Atwood family were well-established in the county of Essex, England. During this period, the name was often spelled in various ways, such as Attwood or Atte-Wode, reflecting the local dialects of the time. Families with this name were typically part of the rural population, often working as farmers or tradespeople who relied on the local landscape for their livelihood. Over time, as the family grew and moved, the name became a permanent identifier for their descendants, linking them back to those early woodland settlements in eastern England.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Atte Wode
Middle English phrase meaning at the wood.
This name
AtwoodA topographic surname for someone who lived near a forest or wooded area.
also spelled
Atwode
Related arms
Allenrecorded with Atwood, same area
Dowserecorded with Atwood, same area
Jacksonrecorded with Atwood, same area
Loverecorded with Atwood, same area
Documented Sources
Sir Bernard Burke, The General Armory of England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales, London: Harrison & Sons, 1884
Reaney, P.H., A Dictionary of British Surnames, 1958
Bardsley, Charles Wareing, A Dictionary of English and Welsh Surnames, 1901
Essex Record Office, Parish Registers of Essex, 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
fleur de lisPurity, light, and the sixth son
fessThe military belt, and readiness to serve
fleur de lisPurity, light, and the sixth son
