Map of England showing where the Dunford arms are recorded
The Dunford arms were recorded in England, c. 1620.
Arms such as these were typically recorded in York.
Yorkshire is the largest of the English counties, and it held more gentry families than any other. Land there was split among a great many households rather than a few, so a great many of them carried 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 Dunford 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 England.
Origin & History of the Dunford Family in England
The surname Dunford is a locational name that originated in England, likely derived from the Old English words for a hill and a river crossing. By the early 17th century, the family had established a notable presence in the historic city of York. Records confirm that members of the Dunford family were living in this region by 1620, a time when York served as a vital hub for trade and administration in Northern England. As the family settled into urban life, they became part of the local social fabric, contributing to the growth of the city during the transition into the Stuart period. This early residency in York suggests that the family was well-integrated into the local community, likely participating in the merchant guilds or professional trades that defined the city’s economy at the time.
Dunford Meaning & Related Branches
Root word
Dunne and Ford
A dark hill or fort located near a river crossing.
This name
DunfordRefers to someone who lived near a river crossing by a dark hill.
also spelled
Dunsford
Dunfurd
Related arms
Dunsfordvariant spelling
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
Borthwick Institute for Archives, York Diocesan Probate Records, 1620
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ramLeadership and authority
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