Map of England showing where the Burridge arms are recorded
The Burridge 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 Burridge 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 Burridge Family in England
The surname Burridge is rooted in the landscape of medieval England, specifically originating as a topographic name for someone who lived near a prominent ridge or a fortified hill. The name is derived from the Old English words "burh," meaning a fortified place or borough, and "hrycg," which refers to a ridge. By the early 17th century, the family had established a strong presence in the county of Devon. Records from 1620 confirm that members of the Burridge family were active in this region during a time of significant social and economic transition. As these families settled into rural life, they often became associated with local agriculture and parish administration. This geographic connection suggests that the early Burridges were likely yeoman farmers or tradespeople who played a steady role in the development of Devon’s local communities.
Burridge Meaning & Related Branches
Root word
Burg-ric
Derived from Old English words for fortress and powerful ruler.
This name
BurridgeRefers to a dweller near a fortified settlement or a ridge belonging to a castle.
also spelled
Burrydge
Related arms
Barnerecorded with Burridge, same area
Diamondrecorded with Burridge, same area
Dunsfordrecorded with Burridge, same area
Dymondrecorded with Burridge, 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 English Surnames, 1991
Devon Archives, Parish Register Collection for Devon, 1620
Hanks, Patrick, Dictionary of American Family Names, 2003
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
dolphinSwiftness, charity and love
chiefAuthority, wisdom and dominion
dolphinSwiftness, charity and love
