A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Cordray family of England.
Reg. 5401 · English, A–C
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
chevronProtection, and faithful service completed
bordureA difference between branches of one family
mulletThe third son, and a divine quality from above
lionCourage, strength and royalty
Colours
Black (Sable)Means: Constancy
Gold (Or)Means: Generosity
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)
“Sa. a chev. betw. two mullets in chief and a lion pass. in base ducally crowned or, all within a bordure ar”
WiltsChute · Wilts, c. 1620
Where the Cordray Arms Were Recorded
Wilts
Map of England showing where the Cordray arms are recorded
The Cordray arms were recorded in Wilts, c. 1620.
Wiltshire was sheep country, and wool made money steadily for hundreds of years. Families who made it bought manors on the downs, and holding a manor was the usual reason to take 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 Cordray 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 Wilts.
Origin & History of the Cordray Family in England
The Cordray family name is believed to have originated in France before spreading into England during the medieval period. By the early seventeenth century, the family established a notable presence in the county of Wiltshire. Records confirm that members of the family were living in this region by 1620, where they integrated into the local community as landowners and members of the gentry. The name itself is thought to be a variation of the French term Coudray, which historically referred to a place where hazel trees grew. As the family settled in England, the spelling evolved to suit local pronunciation and record-keeping practices. This transition from a French geographic descriptor to a settled English surname highlights the movement and adaptation of families across borders during the late Renaissance era.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Corderoy
Derived from the Old French phrase meaning heart of the king.
This name
CordrayAn occupational or descriptive name historically associated with royal servants or those with a courageous nature.
also spelled
Corderay
Corderoy
Related arms
Corderayvariant spelling
Corderoyvariant spelling
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
Reaney, P.H., A Dictionary of British Surnames, 1958
Wiltshire and Swindon History Centre, Wiltshire Quarter Sessions Records, 1620
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
bordureA difference between branches of one family
mulletThe third son, and a divine quality from above
lionCourage, strength and royalty
chevronProtection, and faithful service completed
bordureA difference between branches of one family
mulletThe third son, and a divine quality from above
lionCourage, strength and royalty
