A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Elland family of England.
Reg. 8737 · English, D–F
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
martletA younger son, who must win his own land
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. two bars ar. betw. six martlets of the last, three, two, and one”
Englandc. 1620
Where the Elland Arms Were Recorded
York
Map of England showing where the Elland arms are recorded
The Elland 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 Elland 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 Elland Family in England
The family name Elland is deeply rooted in the geography of Northern England, specifically within the historic county of Yorkshire. The name is locative, meaning it was originally derived from the town of Elland located near Halifax. By the early 17th century, members of the family had established a notable presence in the city of York, which served as a major administrative and religious hub during that era. Records from 1620 confirm that the family was integrated into the social and economic life of the city during a time of significant transition in English history. Because the name is tied to a specific place, it suggests that the earliest ancestors likely moved from the town of Elland to larger urban centers like York to pursue trade or professional opportunities. This migration pattern reflects the broader movement of families seeking to improve their status in the growing cities of the Stuart period.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Eland
Old English elements meaning island or land surrounded by water.
This name
EllandDerived from a topographic location referring to a piece of land situated near a river or marsh.
also spelled
Ellandt
Documented Sources
Sir Bernard Burke, The General Armory of England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales, London: Harrison & Sons, 1884
Smith, A. H., The Place-Names of the West Riding of Yorkshire, 1961
Hey, David, Yorkshire West Riding, 1997
Borthwick Institute for Archives, York Diocesan Probate Records
The National Archives, State Papers Domestic, James I
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martletA younger son, who must win his own land
martletA younger son, who must win his own land
