A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Graydon family of England.
Reg. 1710 · English, G–I
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
cross symbolChristian faith and service
mulletThe third son, and a divine quality from above
Colours
Blue (Azure)Means: Loyalty and truth
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)
“Az. a cross betw. four mullets ar”
Englandc. 1620
Where the Graydon Arms Were Recorded
York
Map of England showing where the Graydon arms are recorded
The Graydon 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 Graydon 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 Graydon Family in England
The surname Graydon is rooted in the northern regions of England, where it emerged as a locational name derived from Old English terms describing a gray-colored hill or ridge. By the early seventeenth century, the family had established a notable presence in the historic city of York. Records confirm that members of the Graydon family were living and working in this area by 1620, likely participating in the vibrant trade and civic life that defined the city during the Stuart period. As residents of a major northern hub, these early Graydons were positioned at the center of regional commerce and social development. Over time, the family name spread from these urban roots into the surrounding countryside, reflecting the broader patterns of migration and settlement that shaped northern English society throughout the following centuries.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Graedun
Old English words for grey and hill or valley.
This name
GraydonDerived from a place name meaning the grey hill or grey settlement.
also spelled
Gradon
Grayden
Graydoun
Documented Sources
Sir Bernard Burke, The General Armory of England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales, London: Harrison & Sons, 1884
Bardsley, Charles Wareing, A Dictionary of English and Welsh Surnames, 1901
Reaney, Percy Hide, A Dictionary of British Surnames, 1958
Borthwick Institute for Archives, York Diocesan Probate Records, 1620
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
mulletThe third son, and a divine quality from above
cross symbolChristian faith and service
mulletThe third son, and a divine quality from above
