A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Erden family of England.
Reg. 1625 · English, D–F
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
cross symbolChristian faith and service
chiefAuthority, wisdom and dominion
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 cross crosslet and chief ar”
ShropshireShropshire, c. 1620
Where the Erden Arms Were Recorded
Shropshire
Map of England showing where the Erden arms are recorded
The Erden arms were recorded in Shropshire, c. 1620.
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 Erden 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 Shropshire.
Origin & History of the Erden Family in England
The family name Erden has deep roots in the English county of Shropshire, where records confirm members of the family were established by the year 1620. During the early seventeenth century, Shropshire was a region defined by its bustling market towns and agricultural life along the Welsh border. Families living in this area often took surnames based on their physical surroundings or the specific trades they practiced within their local parishes. The name Erden likely evolved from Old English terminology related to the earth or specific types of soil, suggesting that the earliest ancestors were deeply connected to the land as farmers or laborers. As these families settled into the rural landscape, they became part of the long-standing social fabric of the county, contributing to the local economy and community life for generations.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Eard
Old English word meaning earth, soil, or native land.
This name
ErdenA locational surname referring to someone who lived on or worked the land.
also spelled
Earden
Documented Sources
Sir Bernard Burke, The General Armory of England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales, London: Harrison & Sons, 1884
Shropshire Archives, Shropshire Parish Registers: Diocese of Lichfield, 1620
Hey, David, The Oxford Guide to Family History, 2002
Reaney, P.H., A Dictionary of English Surnames, 1991
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
cross symbolChristian faith and service
chiefAuthority, wisdom and dominion
cross symbolChristian faith and service
chiefAuthority, wisdom and dominion
