Map of England showing where the Dando arms are recorded
The Dando arms were recorded in Nottingham, c. 1575.
Nottinghamshire had coal under it and forest across it, and both were worth money. Families who profited bought manors, and a manor was the ordinary reason for a family to take a coat of 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.
Elizabeth I of England
Sovereign of the period
Elizabeth I of England
1558–1603
Reigning in England when the Dando 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 Nottingham.
Origin & History of the Dando Family in England
The surname Dando is believed to have originated in England as a descriptive nickname or a locational identifier. Historical records confirm that members of the Dando family were well-established in Nottingham by 1575. During this period, the name was often associated with families living in the West Country, particularly in Somerset, before spreading to the Midlands. The name itself may have evolved from Old French terms or local dialects, reflecting the way surnames were commonly adopted during the late Middle Ages as populations grew and people moved between villages for work. By the late sixteenth century, the Dando family had integrated into the local community, participating in parish life and contributing to the social fabric of Nottinghamshire.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Radulf
Old Germanic name meaning wolf counsel or wise wolf.
This name
DandoA patronymic surname derived from a diminutive form of the name Ralph.
also spelled
Dant
Daund
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
Nottinghamshire Archives, Nottingham St Mary’s Parish Registers, PR 1575
Reaney, Percy Hide, A Dictionary of British Surnames, 1958
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
griffinValour and vigilance, guarding great treasure
escallopThe pilgrim's shell, and a long journey made
griffinValour and vigilance, guarding great treasure
escallopThe pilgrim's shell, and a long journey made
