Map of England showing where the Kingdon arms are recorded
The Kingdon arms were recorded in Cornwall, c. 1620.
Cornwall was a county apart, with its own language and its own tight-knit gentry. Tin and the sea made money there, and families who made it bought land, which is what brought 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.
James VI and I
Sovereign of the period
James VI and I
1603–1625
Reigning in England when the Kingdon 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 Cornwall.
Origin & History of the Kingdon Family in England
The family name Kingdon has deep roots in the rugged landscape of Cornwall, where records confirm the family was well-established by the early seventeenth century. The name likely originated as a locative surname, meaning it was used to identify people who lived near a specific piece of land or a small settlement known as a kingdom or a king’s down. During this period, the Kingdon family became closely tied to the social and economic life of the Cornish countryside. They were often involved in the local mining and agricultural industries that defined the region. As the family grew, they spread across the county and eventually into neighboring areas of Devon. Their history reflects the broader patterns of English life at the time, as families moved from small rural holdings into more prominent roles within their local parishes. By documenting their presence in legal and church records from the 1620s onward, we can see how the Kingdon name became a permanent part of the regional identity of South West England.
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
chevronProtection, and faithful service completed
dolphinSwiftness, charity and love
Colours
Blue (Azure)Means: Loyalty and truth
ErmineMeans: Dignity
Gold (Or)Means: Generosity
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 chev. erm. betw. three dolphins embowed or”
Irelandc. 1684
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
Map of Ireland showing where the Kingdon arms are recorded
The Kingdon arms were recorded in Ireland, c. 1684.
Arms such as these were typically recorded in Dublin.
Dublin was the seat of government in Ireland and the place where grants were sought and recorded. Families with business at the castle or the courts settled nearby, and settling there put their arms on record.
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 Ireland in this period.
Charles II of England
Sovereign of the period
Charles II of England
1660–1685
Reigning in England when the Kingdon arms are first recorded.
How Arms Worked in Ireland
The Ulster King of Arms granted coats of arms to individuals who proved their social standing and good character. These symbols were typically inherited by all legitimate descendants of the original holder. If a family branch wanted a unique look, they could apply for a specific change to their design through the office to ensure their identity remained distinct.
Granting authority
The Ulster King of Arms acted as the official body that regulated and issued all coats of arms throughout Ireland.
How they got arms
Families obtained their arms through formal grants issued by the office after proving their eligibility and paying the required fees.
Where arms were recorded
All official grants were recorded in the registers held by the Ulster King of Arms starting from the year 1552.
The family's standing
Recorded among the armigerous families of Ireland.
Origin & History of the Kingdon Family in Ireland
The history of the Kingdon family in Ireland is rooted in the social and political shifts of the late seventeenth century. While the name is of English origin, records confirm that members of the family were established in Dublin by 1684. During this period, Dublin served as a bustling center for trade and administration, attracting individuals from across the British Isles who sought new opportunities in the capital. The presence of the Kingdon family in the city suggests they were likely part of the professional or merchant classes who helped shape the urban life of the era. As they settled into the local community, they became part of the complex tapestry of families that defined Dublin’s growth during the late Stuart period. By integrating into the city's social structure, the early Kingdons contributed to the demographic changes that characterized Ireland’s history at the end of the seventeenth century.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Cyning
Old English term for a tribal leader or monarch.
This name
KingdonA topographical or status-based name referring to land belonging to a king or a royal official.
also spelled
Kyngdon
Kyngdone
Related arms
Porterrecorded with Kingdon, same area
Documented Sources
Sir Bernard Burke, The General Armory of England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales, London: Harrison & Sons, 1884
Gover, J.E.B., Mawer, A., and Stenton, F.M., The Place-Names of Devon, 1931
Padel, O.J., A Popular Dictionary of Cornish Place-Names, 1988
chevronProtection, and faithful service completed
martletA younger son, who must win his own land
crescentHonour by the sovereign, and the second son
chevronProtection, and faithful service completed
martletA younger son, who must win his own land
crescentHonour by the sovereign, and the second son
dolphinSwiftness, charity and love
