A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Claridge family of England.
Sir Bernard Burke, The General Armory of England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales, London: Harrison & Sons, 1884
Blazon (the actual original written record)“Vairé, gu. and ar”
The Claridge 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.
Reigning in England when the Claridge arms are first recorded.
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.
The surname Claridge is a locational and occupational name that traces its roots back to the medieval period in England. It is derived from the Latin name Claritius, which eventually evolved into the Middle English form Claridge. By the early seventeenth century, the family had established a clear presence in the historic city of York. Records from 1620 confirm that members of the Claridge family were living and working within this northern hub during a time of significant social and economic change. As residents of York, they were part of a community defined by its ancient walls and its role as a center for trade and religious life. Over time, the family name spread from these urban origins, reflecting the movement and growth of English families during the transition into the modern era.
Latin word meaning clear, bright, or famous.
