A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Bolden family of England.
Reg. 3784 · 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
swanGrace, light and the poet's art
Colours
Gold (Or)Means: Generosity
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)
“Quarterly, 1st and 4th, or, on a fesse gu. three fleurs-de-lis of the field; 2nd and 3rd, per fesse dancettée gu. and vert three swans or”
LancasterHyning · Lancaster, c. 1620
Where the Bolden Arms Were Recorded
Lancaster
Map of England showing where the Bolden arms are recorded
The Bolden arms were recorded in Lancaster, c. 1620.
Lancashire was divided among a great many small landed families, more than most northern counties. Estates were passed down whole rather than split up, so the same names hold the same ground for centuries in the records.
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 Bolden 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 Lancaster.
Origin & History of the Bolden Family in England
The family name Bolden is primarily rooted in the geography of Northern England, specifically within the county of Lancashire. By the year 1620, records confirm that members of the family were well-established in this region, where they lived as part of the local community during a period of significant social and religious change. The name itself is thought to be locational in origin, likely derived from an Old English term meaning a dwelling or a bold-looking hill. Families during this era often identified themselves by the specific villages or landmarks where they resided, which suggests that the early Boldens were deeply connected to the landscape of Lancaster. As the seventeenth century progressed, these families became part of the broader migration patterns that defined the era, helping to carry the name forward through generations of local history.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Bald
Derived from the Proto-Germanic word meaning bold or brave.
This name
BoldenA habitational name referring to someone from a bold or brave valley.
also spelled
Boldon
Related arms
Lennardsimilar arms
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
Ekwall, Eilert. The Place-Names of Lancashire. 1922
Lancashire Archives, Bishop's Transcripts of Parish Registers for the Diocese of Chester
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
swanGrace, light and the poet's art
fessThe military belt, and readiness to serve
fleur de lisPurity, light, and the sixth son
swanGrace, light and the poet's art
