Map of England showing where the Crittendon arms are recorded
The Crittendon 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 Crittendon 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 Crittendon Family in England
The surname Crittendon is a topographical name that originated in England, specifically derived from the Old English words for a valley or a stream. Families bearing this name were well-established in the county of Yorkshire by the early seventeenth century, as evidenced by local parish records from 1620. During this period, the name was often spelled in various ways, reflecting the regional dialects and the inconsistent nature of early record-keeping. These early Crittendons were typically part of the agrarian class, living in the rural landscapes of Northern England where they worked the land and participated in the local community life of the parish. As the century progressed, the family name began to spread beyond Yorkshire, carried by individuals seeking new opportunities in trade and eventually across the Atlantic to the American colonies.
Crittendon Meaning & Related Branches
Root word
Cryden
A valley or hollow located near a stream or river.
This name
CrittendonDerived from a topographic location referring to a settlement situated in a valley.
also spelled
Cruttenden
Cruttindon
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
The National Archives, Parish registers of Yorkshire, 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
mulletThe third son, and a divine quality from above
crescentHonour by the sovereign, and the second son
chevronProtection, and faithful service completed
mulletThe third son, and a divine quality from above
crescentHonour by the sovereign, and the second son
