Map of England showing where the Borden arms are recorded
The Borden arms were recorded in England, c. 1620.
Arms such as these were typically recorded in York.
Yorkshire is the largest of the English counties, and it held more gentry families than any other. Land there was split among a great many households rather than a few, so a great many of them carried 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 Borden 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 England.
Origin & History of the Borden Family in England
The surname Borden has deep roots in the English landscape, with the name likely originating from a geographical feature. In Old English, the word *borden* or *bord* often referred to a valley or a place near a wooden building or a board-covered structure. By the early 17th century, the family was well-established in the historic city of York. Records confirm that members of the Borden family were living there by 1620, a time when the city was a bustling center of trade and religious transition. These early ancestors were part of a society defined by local craftsmanship and community ties, and their presence in such a prominent northern city suggests they were active participants in the regional economy of the era. As the family grew, their name became a permanent part of the local history, reflecting the movement and settlement patterns of families in Northern England during the Stuart period.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Burh-denu
Old English for a fortified place or valley.
This name
BordenDerived from a topographic location referring to a valley near a fortified settlement or manor.
also spelled
Burden
Borden
Bourdon
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
York City Archives, York City Chamberlains' Accounts, 1620
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
cross symbolChristian faith and service
hunting horn stringedOne who delights in the chase
cross symbolChristian faith and service
hunting horn stringedOne who delights in the chase
