A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Camden family of England.
Reg. 0248 · English, A–C
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
fessThe military belt, and readiness to serve
cross symbolChristian faith and service
Colours
Blue (Azure)Means: Loyalty and truth
Gold (Or)Means: Generosity
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)
“Az. a fesse engr. betw. six crosses crosslet fitchée or”
Englandc. 1620
Where the Camden Arms Were Recorded
York
Map of England showing where the Camden arms are recorded
The Camden 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 Camden 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 Camden Family in England
The surname Camden is a locative name, which means it was originally derived from a specific place rather than a trade or a personal characteristic. Etymologists believe the name originates from Old English terms meaning a winding valley. By the early seventeenth century, the family had established a notable presence in the historic city of York. Records from 1620 confirm that members of the Camden family were living in this northern English hub during a time of significant social and religious change. Because York was a major center for trade and administration, families living there often held roles that required literacy and civic involvement. This early connection to such a prominent city suggests that the ancestors of the Camden line were likely integrated into the professional or merchant classes of the region long before the name spread further across the country.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Camp-den
Derived from Old English words for enclosed field and valley.
This name
CamdenRefers to a settlement located within a winding valley or enclosed pasture.
also spelled
Camdon
Documented Sources
Sir Bernard Burke, The General Armory of England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales, London: Harrison & Sons, 1884
Reaney, P.H. and Wilson, R.M., A Dictionary of English Surnames, 1991
Bardsley, Charles Wareing, A Dictionary of English and Welsh Surnames, 1901
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.
fessThe military belt, and readiness to serve
cross symbolChristian faith and service
fessThe military belt, and readiness to serve
cross symbolChristian faith and service
