Map of England showing where the Burdon arms are recorded
The Burdon arms were recorded in England, c. 1614.
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 Burdon 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 Burdon Family in England
The surname Burdon is rooted in the landscape of medieval England, likely originating as a topographical name for someone who lived near a hill or a ridge. The name is derived from the Old English words "burh," meaning a fortified place or town, and "dun," meaning a hill. By the early 17th century, the family had established a notable presence in the historic city of York. Records from 1614 confirm that members of the Burdon family were active residents in this region, participating in the social and economic life of the city during the reign of King James I. Over time, the family name spread across Northern England, reflecting the movement of people between rural settlements and growing urban centers like York.
Burdon Meaning & Related Branches
Root word
Burdun
Old English term for a hill or a mountain.
This name
BurdonDerived from a place name referring to a dweller on a hill or a valley.
also spelled
Burden
Burdin
Related arms
Burdensame arms
Bourdonvariant spelling
Documented Sources
Sir Bernard Burke, The General Armory of England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales, London: Harrison & Sons, 1884
Reaney, P.H., A Dictionary of English Surnames, 1958
Smith, A.H., The Place-Names of the East Riding of Yorkshire and York, 1937
Borthwick Institute for Archives, York Diocesan Probate Records, 1614
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batonAuthority and office held under the crown
batonAuthority and office held under the crown
