Map of England showing where the Martindale arms are recorded
The Martindale 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 Martindale 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 Martindale Family in England
The surname Martindale is a locational name that originated in the northern regions of England. It is derived from the valley of Martindale in the Lake District of Cumbria, where the name first appeared in written records during the medieval period. The name combines the Old English word for a marten, which is a type of small forest mammal, with the word for a valley. By the early 17th century, members of the family had migrated from these northern hills toward the historic city of York. Records confirm that the family was well-established in York by 1620, where they became active participants in the urban life and trade of the city. This movement reflects a broader historical trend of families shifting from rural northern parishes into growing regional centers during the seventeenth century.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Martin and Dale
Derived from the Latin name Martinus and the Old English word valley.
This name
MartindaleRefers to a valley associated with a person named Martin.
also spelled
Martindall
Martindail
Martindell
Documented Sources
Sir Bernard Burke, The General Armory of England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales, London: Harrison & Sons, 1884
Ekwall, Eilert. The Concise Oxford Dictionary of English Place-Names. 1960
Reaney, P.H. A Dictionary of British Surnames. 1958
Borthwick Institute for Archives, University of York. Archbishop of York’s Diocesan Records
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bendDefence, and the scarf of a commander
bendDefence, and the scarf of a commander
