Map of England showing where the Ogden arms are recorded
The Ogden 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 Ogden 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 Ogden Family in England
The surname Ogden is of Old English origin and is traditionally linked to the northern regions of England. The name is topographical, meaning it was likely derived from a specific location, specifically a valley or pasture associated with oak trees. By the early seventeenth century, members of the Ogden family were well-established in the city of York. These early ancestors were part of a period of significant social and economic movement in Northern England. As the family settled in York, they became integrated into the local community, participating in the trades and civic life that defined the city during the reign of King James I. This transition from rural origins to urban life in a historic center like York highlights the family's role in the broader development of English society during the early modern era.
Ogden Meaning & Related Branches
Root word
ac-denu
Old English words for oak tree and valley.
This name
OgdenA topographical name referring to someone who lived in a valley filled with oak trees.
also spelled
Ogdon
Ogdun
Related arms
Oakdenvariant spelling
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
York City Archives, York City Chamberlains' Accounts, 1620
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
acornAntiquity and strength from small beginnings
leafHappiness and abundance
fessThe military belt, and readiness to serve
acornAntiquity and strength from small beginnings
leafHappiness and abundance
