Map of England showing where the Cady arms are recorded
The Cady arms were recorded in Norfolk, c. 1575.
Norfolk grew rich on wool and grain, and its wealth was spread among many middling families rather than a few great ones. Households of that kind bought land and took arms, and the county holds a large share of English names.
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.
Elizabeth I of England
Sovereign of the period
Elizabeth I of England
1558–1603
Reigning in England when the Cady 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 Norfolk.
Origin & History of the Cady Family in England
The family name Cady finds its historical roots in the region of East Anglia, specifically within the county of Norfolk. By the year 1575, records confirm that members of the Cady family were well-established residents of this area. The name is believed to have originated as a descriptive nickname or a locational identifier, likely evolving from Old English or Middle English roots that described a person’s character or their place of origin. During the late sixteenth century, the family lived as part of a rural society where they were often involved in local agriculture and trade. As the family grew, they became deeply integrated into the social and economic life of Norfolk parishes, leaving behind a trail of baptismal and marriage records that document their steady presence in the English countryside for generations.
Cady Meaning & Related Branches
Root word
Cada
An Old English personal name derived from the word for battle.
This name
CadyA locational surname referring to someone from the village of Cadeby or a descendant of Cada.
also spelled
Caddie
Related arms
Kadyevariant 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
Cottle, Basil, The Penguin Dictionary of Surnames, 1967
Norfolk Record Office, Parish Registers for the Diocese of Norwich
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
pileWell-doing, and a mark of distinction
cross symbolChristian faith and service
pileWell-doing, and a mark of distinction
cross symbolChristian faith and service
