A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Norred family of England.
Reg. 1521 · English, M–O
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
fessThe military belt, and readiness to serve
cross symbolChristian faith and service
roundelA coin, and one who has been to the crusades
Colours
Red (Gules)Means: Military strength
Black (Sable)Means: Constancy
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)
“Quarterly, 1st and 4th, gu. a fess dancettée ar.. for ORRED; 2nd, sa. a cross engr. ar. betw. four plates each charged with a pheon of the field, for FLETCHER; 3rd, ar. a cross engr. sa., for MIDDLETON”
ChesterTranmere Weston · Chester, c. 1620
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Map of England showing where the Norred arms are recorded
The Norred arms were recorded in Chester, c. 1620.
Cheshire was governed apart from the rest of England for much of its history, with its own courts and its own gentry. That separateness bred a strong local landed class, and landed families 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 Norred 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 Chester.
Origin & History of the Norred Family in England
The Norred family name has roots that trace back to the early seventeenth century in the historic city of Chester, England. By 1620, records indicate that members of the family were already established residents within this region, which served as a vital hub for trade and administration near the Welsh border. During this period, the name likely evolved from regional dialects or topographical descriptions common to the Cheshire area. Families living in Chester at this time often worked in skilled trades or local commerce, contributing to the steady growth of the city during the reign of King James I. As the family expanded throughout the following decades, they remained part of the social fabric of northwestern England before eventually participating in the broader migrations that took many English families to the American colonies.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Nord
Old Norse term for the northern cardinal direction.
This name
NorredA locational surname denoting someone who originated from a place situated in the north.
also spelled
Orredde
Orredt
Documented Sources
Sir Bernard Burke, The General Armory of England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales, London: Harrison & Sons, 1884
Cheshire Archives and Local Studies, Bishop’s Transcripts of Chester Diocese, 1620
The Record Society of Lancashire and Cheshire, An Index to the Wills and Inventories Now Preserved in the Court of Probate, at Chester, from A.D. 1545 to 1620, 1879
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
fessThe military belt, and readiness to serve
cross symbolChristian faith and service
roundelA coin, and one who has been to the crusades
fessThe military belt, and readiness to serve
cross symbolChristian faith and service
roundelA coin, and one who has been to the crusades
