Map of England showing where the Ethridge arms are recorded
The Ethridge 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 Ethridge 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 Ethridge Family in England
The family name Ethridge is a variation of the older English surname Etheridge, which traces its roots back to the Old English language. The name is derived from the personal name Aethelric, which combines the words for noble and ruler. By the time the name appeared in records from York in 1620, it had evolved through several centuries of spoken language changes. Families bearing this name were often part of the growing merchant or artisan classes in northern England during the early seventeenth century. These individuals lived through a period of significant social transition as England began to expand its influence across the Atlantic. The presence of the family in York suggests they were settled members of the community who contributed to the local economy and social life of the city during the reign of King James I.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Aethelric
Derived from Old English elements meaning noble and ruler.
This name
EthridgeA locational surname referring to a ridge or boundary belonging to a noble 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, 1997
Bardsley, Charles Wareing, A Dictionary of English and Welsh Surnames with Special American Instances, 1901
York City Archives, York City Chamberlains' Accounts, 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
