Map of England showing where the Hodsdon arms are recorded
The Hodsdon arms were recorded in Middlesex, c. 1568.
Middlesex was the county around London, and City money flowed straight into it. Merchants and officials bought estates within reach of the capital, and a new estate brought a coat of arms with it.
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.
Elizabeth I of England
Sovereign of the period
Elizabeth I of England
1558–1603
Reigning in England when the Hodsdon 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 Middlesex.
Origin & History of the Hodsdon Family in England
The family name Hodsdon traces its roots to the English county of Middlesex, where records confirm members of the family were living as early as 1568. The name is considered a locative surname, which means it likely originated from a specific place or settlement known as Hodsdon. During the sixteenth century, families often adopted the names of the villages or manors where they resided to help distinguish themselves in growing communities. As the family established their presence in Middlesex, they integrated into the local social and economic life of the region. Over the following generations, the name spread as individuals moved for work, marriage, or land ownership, eventually becoming a recognized part of the local history in that area of England.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Hod
A pet form of the Germanic personal name Roger meaning famous spear.
This name
HodsdonDerived from the son of Hod, indicating a descendant of a person named Roger.
also spelled
Hodston
Hodstone
Related arms
Packingtonrecorded with Hodsdon, same area
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, P.H., A Dictionary of British Surnames, 1958
The National Archives, Prerogative Court of Canterbury and related Probate Jurisdictions: Will Registers, 1384–1858
London Metropolitan Archives, Church of England Parish Registers for Middlesex, 1538–1900
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
bendDefence, and the scarf of a commander
horseshoeGood fortune and protection from harm
bendDefence, and the scarf of a commander
horseshoeGood fortune and protection from harm
