Map of England showing where the Dryland arms are recorded
The Dryland arms were recorded in Kent, c. 1620.
Kent sits between London and the short crossing to Europe, and the trade passing through made it wealthy. Merchant families bought land with that money, and it was landowners who took coats 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.
James VI and I
Sovereign of the period
James VI and I
1603–1625
Reigning in England when the Dryland 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 Kent.
Origin & History of the Dryland Family in England
The surname Dryland is a locative name, which means it was originally used to describe people who lived on a specific piece of land. In the case of this family, the name likely referred to individuals residing on higher, well-drained ground rather than the marshy or flooded areas common in parts of medieval England. By the early 17th century, the family was firmly established in the county of Kent. Records confirm their presence in the region by 1620, where they lived as part of the local rural community. Because Kent was a major hub for agriculture and trade during this period, the Dryland family likely worked as farmers or landowners who maintained the stability of their local parish. Their history is deeply tied to the landscape of southeastern England, reflecting a long-standing connection to the soil and the specific geography of their home county.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Drie-land
Old English and Middle Dutch words for dry or arid terrain.
This name
DrylandA topographic name for someone who lived on dry or uncultivated land.
also spelled
Drieland
Documented Sources
Sir Bernard Burke, The General Armory of England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales, London: Harrison & Sons, 1884
Reaney, P.H., A Dictionary of English Surnames, 1991
Kent Archives, Canterbury Cathedral Archives: Parish Register Transcripts, 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
goatOne who wins by diplomacy rather than force
fessThe military belt, and readiness to serve
goatOne who wins by diplomacy rather than force
