Map of England showing where the Childress arms are recorded
The Childress arms were recorded in York, c. 1604.
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 Childress 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 York.
Origin & History of the Childress Family in England
The surname Childress is an English occupational name that likely originated from the Middle English word "childer," which was a plural form of child. During the early 17th century, the family established a notable presence in the city of York, where records confirm members were living by 1604. At that time, York was a major center for trade and religious life in Northern England. Families with this name often worked in roles that involved the care or education of children, or they may have been associated with the local cathedral schools. As the family grew, they became part of the social fabric of Yorkshire before many members eventually migrated to the American colonies in search of new opportunities. This transition from a traditional English city to the frontier of the New World helped shape the legacy of the name as it spread across different regions.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
cild
Old English word for a child or young person.
This name
ChildressA habitational name derived from a place associated with a child or young person.
also spelled
Childeres
Documented Sources
Sir Bernard Burke, The General Armory of England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales, London: Harrison & Sons, 1884
Bardsley, Charles Wareing, A Dictionary of English and Welsh Surnames, 1901
York Minster Library and Archives, York Parish Registers, 1604
Reaney, Percy Hide, A Dictionary of British Surnames, 1958
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
cross symbolChristian faith and service
buckleFidelity, and a bond firmly held
cross symbolChristian faith and service
buckleFidelity, and a bond firmly held
