A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Dod family lines. Documented in 2 countries.
Reg. 3678 · English, D–F
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
fessThe military belt, and readiness to serve
chevronProtection, and faithful service completed
roseThe seventh son, and beauty with grace
Colours
Silver (Argent)Means: Peace and sincerity
Red (Gules)Means: Military strength
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 gu. betw. two cotises wavy sa., quartering CLOVERLEY, ar. a chev. gu. betw. three cyanus flowers slipped ppr”
SalopCloverly · Salop, c. 1620
Where the Dod Arms Were Recorded
Salop
Map of England showing where the Dod arms are recorded
The Dod arms were recorded in Salop, c. 1620.
Shropshire lay on the Welsh border, and border country needed men who could fight. Families held their land in return for service, and service in arms is what a coat of arms was originally for.
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 Dod 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 Salop.
Origin & History of the Dod Family in England
The surname Dod is deeply rooted in the history of the English county of Shropshire, which was historically known as Salop. The name is considered a patronymic, meaning it likely originated as a shortened or affectionate form of a personal name like Dodda, which was common in Old English. By the early 17th century, the family had firmly established itself within the local landscape of the region. Records from 1620 confirm that members of the Dod family were active participants in the social and economic life of Salop during this period. As the family grew, they became landowners and local figures who helped shape the rural character of the West Midlands. Their presence in the area reflects the broader movement of families who settled in the English countryside and maintained their influence through generations of agricultural and community leadership.
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
fessThe military belt, and readiness to serve
cross symbolChristian faith and service
roundelA coin, and one who has been to the crusades
eagleNobility, strength and a keen mind
crescentHonour by the sovereign, and the second son
Colours
Silver (Argent)Means: Peace and sincerity
Red (Gules)Means: Military strength
Gold (Or)Means: Generosity
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)
“Quarterly, 1st and 4th, ar. on a plain fess betw. two cottises wavy gu. three bezants; 2nd, sa. an eagle displ. ar. armed gu.; 3rd, or, a cross pattée fitchée sa. over all a crescent for diff”
MeathMeath, c. 1608
Where the Dod Arms Were Recorded
Meath
Map of Ireland showing where the Dod arms are recorded
The Dod arms were recorded in Meath, c. 1608.
Meath was the best farmland in Ireland and the old seat of its high kings. Norman families took it early and held it, and land of that quality kept the same families on it for centuries.
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 Ireland in this period.
James VI and I
Sovereign of the period
James VI and I
1603–1625
Reigning in England when the Dod arms are first recorded.
How Arms Worked in Ireland
The Ulster King of Arms granted coats of arms to individuals who proved their social standing and good character. These symbols were typically inherited by all legitimate descendants of the original holder. If a family branch wanted a unique look, they could apply for a specific change to their design through the office to ensure their identity remained distinct.
Granting authority
The Ulster King of Arms acted as the official body that regulated and issued all coats of arms throughout Ireland.
How they got arms
Families obtained their arms through formal grants issued by the office after proving their eligibility and paying the required fees.
Where arms were recorded
All official grants were recorded in the registers held by the Ulster King of Arms starting from the year 1552.
The family's standing
Recorded among the armigerous families of Meath.
Origin & History of the Dod Family in Ireland
The history of the Dod family in Ireland is deeply connected to the shifting landscapes of the seventeenth century. By 1608, members of the family were firmly established in County Meath, a region that served as a vital agricultural and political center during the period of the Plantation. The name itself is of Anglo-Saxon origin, likely derived from a descriptive nickname, and it arrived in Ireland as part of the broader movement of settlers from England. These early settlers in Meath often integrated into the local administrative and landholding systems, navigating the complex social changes that defined the era. Over time, the family transitioned from being newcomers to becoming a part of the local fabric of the region, contributing to the development of the rural economy and the evolving community life of the Irish Midlands.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Dodda
An Old English personal name derived from a term for rounded.
This name
DodA locative or patronymic surname originating from an ancient nickname for a rounded person.
also spelled
Dodde
Doods
Related arms
Doodsvariant spelling
Thornerecorded with Dod, same area
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
Reaney, P.H., A Dictionary of British Surnames, 1958
Shropshire Archives, Shropshire Parish Registers, Diocese of Lichfield
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
chevronProtection, and faithful service completed
roseThe seventh son, and beauty with grace
fessThe military belt, and readiness to serve
chevronProtection, and faithful service completed
roseThe seventh son, and beauty with grace
cross symbolChristian faith and service
roundelA coin, and one who has been to the crusades
eagleNobility, strength and a keen mind
crescentHonour by the sovereign, and the second son
