A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Childe family of England.
Reg. 3900 · English, A–C
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
chevronProtection, and faithful service completed
eagleNobility, strength and a keen mind
Colours
Red (Gules)Means: Military strength
ErmineMeans: Dignity
Silver (Argent)Means: Peace and sincerity
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)
“Gu. a chev. erm. betw. three eagles close ar”
WorcesterNorthwich · Worcester, c. 1585
Where the Childe Arms Were Recorded
Worcester
Map of England showing where the Childe arms are recorded
The Childe arms were recorded in Worcester, c. 1585.
Worcestershire was orchard and farming country with a scattering of old manors. Its gentry were middling rather than great, but a manor was a manor, and holding one was what brought 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.
Elizabeth I of England
Sovereign of the period
Elizabeth I of England
1558–1603
Reigning in England when the Childe 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 Worcester.
Origin & History of the Childe Family in England
The surname Childe originated in England as a descriptive nickname, likely used to distinguish a younger son or a youth who served in a noble household. By the late sixteenth century, the family established a notable presence in the city of Worcester, where records confirm their residence by 1585. During this period, the name was often associated with families of modest means who were deeply integrated into the local trade and civic life of the West Midlands. As the family grew, they became part of the social fabric of the region, participating in the daily commerce and religious life that defined Elizabethan England. Their early history reflects the broader patterns of English migration and settlement, showing how a simple nickname eventually evolved into a permanent family identity passed down through generations.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
cild
An Old English term referring to a child or young person.
This name
ChildeOriginally used as a title for a youth of noble birth or a young knight.
also spelled
Chyld
Chylde
Related arms
Childrecorded with Childe, 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, 1958
Dunkling, Leslie, First Names and Surnames, 1995
Worcestershire Archive and Archaeology Service, Worcester City Parish Records, 1585
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
chevronProtection, and faithful service completed
eagleNobility, strength and a keen mind
chevronProtection, and faithful service completed
eagleNobility, strength and a keen mind
