A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Blagdon family of England.
Reg. 5474 · English, A–C
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
chiefAuthority, wisdom and dominion
trefoilPerpetuity, and the Trinity
ringFidelity, and a promise kept
Colours
Blue (Azure)Means: Loyalty and truth
Gold (Or)Means: Generosity
Silver (Argent)Means: Peace and sincerity
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)
“Az. three trefoils slipped ar. on a chief indented or, two annulets gu”
DevonBlagdon · Devon, c. 1620
Where the Blagdon Arms Were Recorded
Devon
Map of England showing where the Blagdon arms are recorded
The Blagdon arms were recorded in Devon, c. 1620.
Devon was a county of small manors and seafaring families. Its gentry were spread thickly across the countryside, and money made at sea often bought an estate, which in turn brought 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 England in this period.
James VI and I
Sovereign of the period
James VI and I
1603–1625
Reigning in England when the Blagdon 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 Devon.
Origin & History of the Blagdon Family in England
The surname Blagdon is a locative name, meaning it was originally taken from a specific place rather than a trade or personal trait. The name is derived from Old English words meaning "black hill" or "dark down," which likely described the landscape where the first families lived. By the year 1620, records confirm that members of the Blagdon family were well-established in the county of Devon, England. During this period, the family was deeply connected to the rural life of the West Country, often working as landowners or farmers in the rolling hills of the region. Because the name is tied to the geography of the English countryside, it suggests that the family had deep roots in the local soil long before they appeared in formal parish registers. These early ancestors helped shape the identity of their local communities, leaving a legacy that remains tied to the history of Devon to this day.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Blaec-dun
Old English for black or dark hill.
This name
BlagdonA topographic name denoting someone who lived near a dark-colored hill or down.
also spelled
Blagden
Blagdin
Blagdown
Related arms
Blackdonsimilar arms
Bullockrecorded with Blagdon, same area
Hallrecorded with Blagdon, same area
Handfieldrecorded with Blagdon, same area
Documented Sources
Sir Bernard Burke, The General Armory of England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales, London: Harrison & Sons, 1884
Gover, J.E.B., Mawer, A., and Stenton, F.M., The Place-Names of Devon, 1931
Reaney, P.H., A Dictionary of British Surnames, 1958
The National Archives, Prerogative Court of Canterbury and Related Probate Jurisdictions: Will Registers, 1620
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
chiefAuthority, wisdom and dominion
trefoilPerpetuity, and the Trinity
ringFidelity, and a promise kept
chiefAuthority, wisdom and dominion
trefoilPerpetuity, and the Trinity
ringFidelity, and a promise kept
