A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Etheridge family of England.
Reg. 6004 · English, D–F
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
fessThe military belt, and readiness to serve
fleur de lisPurity, light, and the sixth son
Colours
Silver (Argent)Means: Peace and sincerity
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 fesse engr. betw. six fleurs-de-lis sa”
Englandc. 1620
Where the Etheridge Arms Were Recorded
York
Map of England showing where the Etheridge arms are recorded
The Etheridge 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 Etheridge 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 Etheridge Family in England
The surname Etheridge is rooted in Old English origins, evolving from the name Aethelric, which combines the words for noble and ruler. While the family name has deep ties to various parts of England, historical records confirm that members of the Etheridge family were established in the city of York by 1620. During this period, York was a significant center for trade and religious life, and families living there often played active roles in the local guilds and parish communities. As the seventeenth century progressed, the name began to spread further across the country as people moved for work and new opportunities. This movement helped the family name transition from a localized identity in Northern England to a more widespread presence throughout the British Isles and eventually across the Atlantic.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Edric
Derived from the Old English elements for wealth or fortune and ruler.
This name
EtheridgeA locational surname referring to a ridge or boundary associated with a wealthy ruler.
also spelled
Etheridge
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
Bardsley, Charles Wareing, A Dictionary of English and Welsh Surnames, 1901
York City Archives, York City Chamberlains' Account Rolls, 1620
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
fessThe military belt, and readiness to serve
fleur de lisPurity, light, and the sixth son
fessThe military belt, and readiness to serve
fleur de lisPurity, light, and the sixth son
