A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Davidge family of England.
Reg. 3248 · English, D–F
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
fessThe military belt, and readiness to serve
cross symbolChristian faith and service
lionCourage, strength and royalty
Colours
Red (Gules)Means: Military strength
Silver (Argent)Means: Peace and sincerity
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)
“Gu. on a fesse wavy betw. three lions pass. ar. as many crosses pattée of the field”
SomersetSomerset, c. 1620
Where the Davidge Arms Were Recorded
Somerset
Map of England showing where the Davidge arms are recorded
The Davidge arms were recorded in Somerset, c. 1620.
Somerset was rich farming country with a thick scattering of manor houses. Its gentry were numerous and long-settled, and a settled landed family almost always ended up with 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 Davidge 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 Somerset.
Origin & History of the Davidge Family in England
The surname Davidge is primarily rooted in the English county of Somerset, where the family established a notable presence by the early seventeenth century. Etymologists generally classify the name as a patronymic, meaning it likely evolved from a variation of the given name David, perhaps through the influence of local dialects or diminutive suffixes common in the West Country. During the 1600s, families bearing this name were often integrated into the agricultural and parish life of Somerset villages, serving as yeomen or tradespeople who contributed to the local economy. Because the name was tied to specific geographic regions, it remained relatively concentrated in the southwest of England for several generations. The history of the family is deeply connected to the social shifts of the era, reflecting the steady growth and migration patterns of rural English communities during the transition into the modern period.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
David
A Hebrew name meaning beloved or friend.
This name
DavidgeA patronymic surname indicating descent from a person named David.
also spelled
Davedge
Davigge
Documented Sources
Sir Bernard Burke, The General Armory of England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales, London: Harrison & Sons, 1884
Reaney, P.H. and Wilson, R.M., A Dictionary of English Surnames, 1997
Somerset Archives, Quarter Sessions Records, 1620
Cottle, Basil, The Penguin Dictionary of Surnames, 1967
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
cross symbolChristian faith and service
lionCourage, strength and royalty
fessThe military belt, and readiness to serve
cross symbolChristian faith and service
lionCourage, strength and royalty
