A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Cudworth family of England.
Reg. 4419 · English, A–C
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
fessThe military belt, and readiness to serve
lionCourage, strength and royalty
Colours
Blue (Azure)Means: Loyalty and truth
ErmineMeans: Dignity
Gold (Or)Means: Generosity
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)
“Az. a fesse erminois betw. three demi lions ramp. or”
LancasterWerneth · Lancaster, c. 1617
Where the Cudworth Arms Were Recorded
Lancaster
Map of England showing where the Cudworth arms are recorded
The Cudworth arms were recorded in Lancaster, c. 1617.
Lancashire was divided among a great many small landed families, more than most northern counties. Estates were passed down whole rather than split up, so the same names hold the same ground for centuries in the records.
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 Cudworth 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 Lancaster.
Origin & History of the Cudworth Family in England
The surname Cudworth is of locational origin, meaning it was originally taken from a specific place name in England. The name is derived from the Old English words "cude," which refers to a known or familiar person, and "worth," which describes an enclosed homestead or settlement. This suggests that the earliest members of the family were likely residents of a place called Cudworth in Yorkshire. By the early 17th century, the family had established a notable presence in Lancashire, specifically appearing in records from 1617. During this period, families often moved from their ancestral villages to growing towns to pursue new trades or agricultural opportunities. The name remains a testament to the family's deep roots in the northern English landscape, where they lived and worked as part of the local community for generations.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Cuda and worth
Cuda refers to a personal name and worth means an enclosure.
This name
CudworthAn enclosure or homestead belonging to a person named Cuda.
also spelled
Cudwirth
Cudwarth
Documented Sources
Sir Bernard Burke, The General Armory of England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales, London: Harrison & Sons, 1884
Ekwall, Eilert. The Concise Oxford Dictionary of English Place-names. 1960
Reaney, P.H. A Dictionary of British Surnames. 1958
Lancashire Archives, Bishop's Transcripts of Parish Registers, 1617
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
lionCourage, strength and royalty
fessThe military belt, and readiness to serve
lionCourage, strength and royalty
