A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Cumberledge family of England.
Reg. 0170 · English, A–C
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
cantonA mark of honour granted by the sovereign
fleur de lisPurity, light, and the sixth son
Colours
ErmineMeans: Dignity
Gold (Or)Means: Generosity
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)
“Barry of six erm. and sa. on a canton or, a fleur-de-lis gu”
StaffordStafford, c. 1620
Where the Cumberledge Arms Were Recorded
Stafford
Map of England showing where the Cumberledge arms are recorded
The Cumberledge arms were recorded in Stafford, c. 1620.
Staffordshire was mixed country of moorland, farmland and early ironworking. Its landed families were spread widely rather than concentrated, and each holding brought its own claim to 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 Cumberledge 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 Stafford.
Origin & History of the Cumberledge Family in England
The name Cumberledge is deeply rooted in the history of Staffordshire, England, where the family was firmly established by the early seventeenth century. Records confirm that members of the family were living in the Stafford area as early as 1620, a period defined by significant social and economic shifts in the English Midlands. The name itself is likely locational in origin, suggesting that the earliest ancestors lived near a specific geographical feature or a small settlement that has since faded from modern maps. During this era, families like the Cumberledges were often tied to the local land through farming or skilled trades, which allowed them to maintain a consistent presence in the region for generations. By settling in Staffordshire, the family became part of the local fabric, contributing to the growth and daily life of the county during a time of great change in English history.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Cumber
Old English term for a valley or a hollow.
This name
CumberledgeA dweller in a valley or a ridge-side settlement.
also spelled
Cumberleidge
Cumberlidge
Documented Sources
Sir Bernard Burke, The General Armory of England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales, London: Harrison & Sons, 1884
Staffordshire Record Office, Diocese of Lichfield and Coventry: Parish Registers of St. Mary, Stafford, 1620
Staffordshire Record Office, Court of Quarter Sessions: Order Books, 1620
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
cantonA mark of honour granted by the sovereign
fleur de lisPurity, light, and the sixth son
cantonA mark of honour granted by the sovereign
fleur de lisPurity, light, and the sixth son
