Map of England showing where the Edwards arms are recorded
The Edwards arms were recorded in Salop, c. 1182.
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.
Henry II of England
Sovereign of the period
Henry II of England
1154–1189
Reigning in England when the Edwards 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 Edwards Family in England
The surname Edwards is a patronymic name, meaning it was originally created to identify a person as the son of someone named Edward. The name Edward itself comes from the Old English words "ead," meaning wealth or fortune, and "weard," meaning guardian. While the name became very popular after the Norman Conquest, the family history is deeply rooted in the English countryside. Records confirm that members of the Edwards family were established in the county of Salop, now known as Shropshire, as early as 1182. During this period, surnames were not yet fixed, so families often used these names to distinguish themselves within their local communities. As the centuries passed, the name spread from these early settlements in the West Midlands across the rest of England, eventually becoming one of the most common family names in the country.
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
chevronProtection, and faithful service completed
boars headA fierce fighter who battles to the end
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. a chev. engr. betw. three boars' heads erased at the neck ar”
FlintFlint, c. 1647
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Map of Wales showing where the Edwards arms are recorded
The Edwards arms were recorded in Flint, c. 1647.
Flintshire was small north Welsh country on the Dee estuary, close to Chester. English and Welsh families both held land there, and each holding brought its own claim to 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 Wales in this period.
Charles I of England
Sovereign of the period
Charles I of England
1625–1649
Reigning in England when the Edwards arms are first recorded.
How Arms Worked in Wales
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 Flint.
Origin & History of the Edwards Family in Wales
The surname Edwards is a patronymic name, which means it originated as a way to identify a person as the son of Edward. In Wales, this naming tradition became common as families transitioned away from the older system of using a string of patronymic names like "ap Edward." By the time records place the family in Flint in 1647, the name had become a fixed hereditary surname passed down through generations. During this period, the region of Flintshire was a significant area for the development of Welsh families who were increasingly adopting English-style naming conventions to align with administrative and legal changes. These early members of the Edwards family in Flint were part of a broader social shift where Welsh identity was being integrated into the formal record-keeping systems of the time. Their presence in the area reflects the movement and settlement patterns of families who were establishing deep roots in North Wales during the seventeenth century.
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
chevronProtection, and faithful service completed
martletA younger son, who must win his own land
Colours
Silver (Argent)Means: Peace and sincerity
Blue (Azure)Means: Loyalty and truth
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)
“Ar. a chev. engr. az. fretty of the first betw. three Cornish choughs sa. beaked and legged gu”
WexfordWexford, c. 1631
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
Map of Ireland showing where the Edwards arms are recorded
The Edwards arms were recorded in Wexford, c. 1631.
Wexford was the corner of Ireland closest to Wales, settled early by Norman families. They held their land under arms and kept it for generations, which is why so many Wexford names carry recorded shields.
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.
Charles I of England
Sovereign of the period
Charles I of England
1625–1649
Reigning in England when the Edwards 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 Wexford.
Origin & History of the Edwards Family in Ireland
The surname Edwards is of Anglo-Saxon origin, derived from the Old English name Eadweard, which translates to "wealthy guardian." While the name is deeply rooted in Britain, it became established in Ireland during the seventeenth century as a result of the plantation and migration policies of the time. Records confirm that members of the Edwards family were settled in County Wexford by 1631, where they integrated into the local society as landowners and tenants. This migration was part of a broader movement of English settlers who moved to the southeastern coast of Ireland to manage estates and participate in trade. Over the following decades, these families became part of the local administrative fabric, often appearing in civil and legal documents related to land ownership and parish life. By rooting themselves in Wexford, the Edwards family transitioned from new arrivals to a permanent fixture within the regional history of the Irish landscape.
Edwards Meaning & Related Branches
Root word
Eadweard
Derived from Old English elements meaning rich or blessed guardian.
This name
EdwardsA patronymic surname signifying son of the wealthy or prosperous protector.
also spelled
Edwardes
Edward
Eduards
Related arms
Southousesame arms
Edwardessimilar arms
Allenrecorded with Edwards, same area
Berringtonrecorded with Edwards, same area
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, 1991
Eyton, Robert William, Antiquities of Shropshire, 1854
The National Archives, Pipe Rolls, E 372/28 (The Pipe Roll of 28 Henry II)
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
lionCourage, strength and royalty
lionCourage, strength and royalty
chevronProtection, and faithful service completed
boars headA fierce fighter who battles to the end
martletA younger son, who must win his own land
