Map of England showing where the Edmonds arms are recorded
The Edmonds arms were recorded in Oxford, c. 1574.
Oxfordshire was farming country with the university at its centre, and both produced families of standing. Scholars and lawyers who did well bought manors nearby, and holding a manor was the ordinary route to 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 Edmonds 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 Oxford.
Origin & History of the Edmonds Family in England
The surname Edmonds is a patronymic name, which means it was originally created to identify a person as the son of a man named Edmund. The name Edmund itself comes from Old English roots that combine the words for wealth and protection. By the time the family was firmly established in Oxford in 1574, the name had become a permanent hereditary surname passed down through generations. During the late sixteenth century, the city of Oxford was a bustling center of trade and academic life, providing a stable environment for families to grow and document their presence in local records. Members of the Edmonds family during this era were often involved in the civic and professional life of the university town, reflecting the broader social changes occurring in England as surnames became essential for legal and tax purposes.
Edmonds Meaning & Related Branches
Root word
Eadmund
Derived from Old English elements meaning prosperity or riches and protection.
This name
EdmondsA patronymic surname signifying son of the wealthy protector.
also spelled
Edmondes
Edmunds
Edmands
Related arms
Dreversimilar arms
Edmandsvariant spelling
Edmondesvariant spelling
Edmonsvariant 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
Oxfordshire History Centre, Oxford City Council Records: Records of the Freemen of Oxford, 1574
Reaney, P.H., 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.
chevronProtection, and faithful service completed
griffinValour and vigilance, guarding great treasure
starThe celestial goddess, and nobility
chevronProtection, and faithful service completed
griffinValour and vigilance, guarding great treasure
starThe celestial goddess, and nobility
