A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Claydon family of England.
Reg. 7978 · English, A–C
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
fessThe military belt, and readiness to serve
escallopThe pilgrim's shell, and a long journey made
Colours
Silver (Argent)Means: Peace and sincerity
Black (Sable)Means: Constancy
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)
“Ar. a fesse dancettée sa. betw. three escallops gu”
EssexAshdowne · Essex, c. 1620
Where the Claydon Arms Were Recorded
Essex
Map of England showing where the Claydon arms are recorded
The Claydon arms were recorded in Essex, c. 1620.
Essex lay close enough to London for City money to buy land there. Merchants who prospered moved out to estates within a day's ride, and a new landowner almost always wanted arms to go with the ground.
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 Claydon 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 Essex.
Origin & History of the Claydon Family in England
The surname Claydon is a locative name, meaning it originated from a specific place rather than a trade or a personal characteristic. It is derived from the Old English words "clæg," meaning clay, and "dun," meaning a hill, which together describe a settlement situated on clay-heavy soil. By the early 17th century, the family was well-established in the county of Essex, a region known for its rich agricultural history and proximity to London. In 1620, members of the Claydon family were already active participants in local community life, likely working as farmers or tradespeople who relied on the fertile landscape of East Anglia. As the family grew, they became deeply rooted in the social fabric of Essex, contributing to the local economy and the development of the rural parishes that defined the area during the Stuart period.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Claeg and Dun
Clay or sticky earth and a hill or fortified place.
This name
ClaydonRefers to a settlement or hill located on clay-heavy soil.
also spelled
Cladon
Clayden
Documented Sources
Sir Bernard Burke, The General Armory of England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales, London: Harrison & Sons, 1884
Reaney, P.H., A Dictionary of British Surnames, 1958
Essex Record Office, Parish Registers of Essex, D/P series
Mills, A.D., A Dictionary of English Place-Names, 1991
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
escallopThe pilgrim's shell, and a long journey made
fessThe military belt, and readiness to serve
escallopThe pilgrim's shell, and a long journey made
