A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Elsdon family of England.
Reg. 9789 · English, D–F
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
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Colours
Silver (Argent)Means: Peace and sincerity
Black (Sable)Means: Constancy
Red (Gules)Means: Military strength
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. sa. betw. three crosses crosslet gu. (another, three crosses pattée)”
EssexEssex, c. 1620
Where the Elsdon Arms Were Recorded
Essex
Map of England showing where the Elsdon arms are recorded
The Elsdon arms were recorded in Essex, c. 1620.
Essex lay close enough to London for City money to buy land there. Merchants who prospered moved out to estates within a day's ride, and a new landowner almost always wanted arms to go with the ground.
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 Elsdon 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 Essex.
Origin & History of the Elsdon Family in England
The surname Elsdon is a locative name, meaning it was originally derived from a specific place rather than a trade or a personal characteristic. The name traces its roots to the village of Elsdon in Northumberland, which was historically known as a site of great strategic importance near the Scottish border. Over many centuries, families migrated southward from this northern region, eventually establishing a notable presence in Essex by the year 1620. During this period, the family became integrated into the local agricultural and social structures of the English countryside. As they settled in new areas, the spelling of the name often shifted slightly to match local pronunciations, but the core identity remained tied to their northern ancestral origins. This migration pattern reflects the broader movement of English families who traveled across the country in search of new opportunities while maintaining a connection to their geographical heritage.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Elli
Old English personal name meaning noble or foreign
This name
ElsdonDerived from a valley or hill associated with a person named Elli.
also spelled
Elsdon
Documented Sources
Sir Bernard Burke, The General Armory of England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales, London: Harrison & Sons, 1884
Reaney, P.H., A Dictionary of British Surnames, 1958
Essex Record Office, Parish Registers of Essex, 1620
Ekwall, Eilert, The Concise Oxford Dictionary of English Place-names, 1960
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
cross symbolChristian faith and service
chevronProtection, and faithful service completed
cross symbolChristian faith and service
