A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Cordingley family of England.
Reg. 0907 · English, A–C
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
chiefAuthority, wisdom and dominion
mulletThe third son, and a divine quality from above
Colours
Silver (Argent)Means: Peace and sincerity
Red (Gules)Means: Military strength
Blue (Azure)Means: Loyalty and truth
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. three mullets az. a chief gu”
Englandc. 1620
Where the Cordingley Arms Were Recorded
York
Map of England showing where the Cordingley arms are recorded
The Cordingley 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.
James VI and I
Sovereign of the period
James VI and I
1603–1625
Reigning in England when the Cordingley 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 England.
Origin & History of the Cordingley Family in England
The surname Cordingley is a locative name, meaning it likely originated from a specific place or settlement in the West Riding of Yorkshire. Historical records confirm that members of the family were well-established in the city of York by 1620, where they were often involved in the local trades and crafts that defined the region during the seventeenth century. The name itself is thought to be derived from a now-lost or obscure hamlet, possibly linked to the Old English words for a cord or a small valley. As the family grew, they became deeply integrated into the social and economic fabric of Northern England. By living in a major hub like York, the early Cordingleys were positioned to participate in the bustling markets and civic life of the era, which helped the family name persist through the centuries as a distinct part of Yorkshire history.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Cord
A diminutive form of the name Cord or Conrad meaning brave counsel.
This name
CordingleyA locative surname likely referring to a dweller near a cord or rope maker's workshop.
also spelled
Cordingly
Cordinglie
Cordinglay
Cordinglaye
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
Hey, David, The Oxford Guide to Family History, 2002
York City Archives, York City Chamberlains' Account Rolls, 1620
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
chiefAuthority, wisdom and dominion
mulletThe third son, and a divine quality from above
chiefAuthority, wisdom and dominion
mulletThe third son, and a divine quality from above
