Map of England showing where the Illidge arms are recorded
The Illidge arms were recorded in Surrey, c. 1620.
Surrey sat just south of London and filled up with families who had made money in the City. Buying an estate there was the usual next step, and an estate was the usual reason to take 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 Illidge 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 Surrey.
Origin & History of the Illidge Family in England
The surname Illidge is a locational name that likely originated from a specific place in England. Records confirm that members of the Illidge family were established in the county of Surrey by the year 1620. During this period, families often took their names from the small villages or hamlets where they lived and worked. The name may be linked to early settlements in the region that have since changed in spelling or faded from modern maps. By the early 17th century, the family was part of the local community in Surrey, contributing to the agricultural and trade life of the English countryside. These early ancestors were likely tenant farmers or craftsmen who helped shape the local economy during the reign of King James I. Their presence in official documents from this era serves as the primary evidence for the family's deep roots in the region.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Hild
An Old English and Germanic element meaning battle or strife.
This name
IllidgeA locational surname derived from a settlement associated with the battle-minded people.
Documented Sources
Sir Bernard Burke, The General Armory of England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales, London: Harrison & Sons, 1884
Surrey History Centre, Quarter Sessions Records, QS2/1/1 (1620)
The National Archives, Prerogative Court of Canterbury, Will of John Illidge of Surrey, PROB 11/136 (1621)
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