A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Cardigan family of Wales.
Reg. 5056 · Welsh, A–C
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
bendDefence, and the scarf of a commander
Colours
Silver (Argent)Means: Peace and sincerity
ErmineMeans: Dignity
Red (Gules)Means: Military strength
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)
“Quarterly, ar. and erm. a bend gu”
Walesc. 1647
Where the Cardigan Arms Were Recorded
Denbigh
Map of Wales showing where the Cardigan arms are recorded
The Cardigan arms were recorded in Wales, c. 1647.
Arms such as these were typically recorded in Denbigh.
Denbighshire was north Welsh country of hills and small estates. Land was held by a great many families rather than a few, and each holding brought its own claim to 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 Wales in this period.
Charles I of England
Sovereign of the period
Charles I of England
1625–1649
Reigning in Wales when the Cardigan arms are first recorded.
How Arms Worked in Wales
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 Wales.
Origin & History of the Cardigan Family in Wales
The surname Cardigan is a locative name, meaning it was originally derived from a specific place rather than a trade or personal trait. The name refers to the town and county of Cardigan in Wales, which was historically known as Ceredigion. Families who adopted this name likely moved away from their ancestral home and were identified by others based on their place of origin. By 1647, records confirm that members of the Cardigan family were established in the town of Denbigh in North Wales. This suggests a migration pattern where individuals moved from the coastal southwest of Wales toward the northern regions during the seventeenth century. As these families settled into new communities, the name served as a permanent link to their geographic roots in the Welsh landscape.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Ceredig
Derived from the Brythonic name meaning beloved or dear one.
This name
CardiganRefers to the fort or stronghold of Ceredig, a region in western Wales.
also spelled
Cardigen
Kardigan
Documented Sources
Sir Bernard Burke, The General Armory of England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales, London: Harrison & Sons, 1884
Charles, B. G., The Place-Names of Pembrokeshire, 1992
National Library of Wales, Denbighshire Quarter Sessions Records, 1647
Reaney, P. H. and Wilson, R. M., A Dictionary of English Surnames, 1991
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
bendDefence, and the scarf of a commander
bendDefence, and the scarf of a commander
