A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Cudmore family of England.
Reg. 9255 · English, A–C
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
fessThe military belt, and readiness to serve
eagleNobility, strength and a keen mind
Colours
Silver (Argent)Means: Peace and sincerity
Red (Gules)Means: Military strength
Black (Sable)Means: Constancy
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 nebulée gu. betw. three eagles displ. sa. armed of the second”
EssexKelvedon · Essex, c. 1620
Where the Cudmore Arms Were Recorded
Essex
Map of England showing where the Cudmore arms are recorded
The Cudmore 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 Cudmore 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 Cudmore Family in England
The surname Cudmore is a locative name, meaning it likely originated from a specific place rather than a trade or a personal nickname. Etymologists believe the name is derived from Old English roots, potentially referring to a "Cudda’s moor," or a marshy area of land associated with a person named Cudda. By the early 17th century, the family had established a notable presence in the county of Essex. Records from 1620 confirm that members of the Cudmore family were living in this region, where they often worked as landowners or members of the local gentry. Over time, the family name became firmly rooted in the geography of East Anglia, reflecting the agrarian lifestyle and the specific landscape features that defined their ancestral home.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Cudda and mor
Old English personal name Cudda combined with the word for wasteland.
This name
CudmoreRefers to a dweller at the wasteland or moor belonging to a person named Cudda.
also spelled
Cudmoor
Cudmer
Related arms
Eatonrecorded with Cudmore, same area
Torrinrecorded with Cudmore, same area
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, Quarter Sessions Rolls, Q/SR 230/42, 1620
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
eagleNobility, strength and a keen mind
fessThe military belt, and readiness to serve
eagleNobility, strength and a keen mind
