Map of England showing where the Oldham arms are recorded
The Oldham arms were recorded in Lancaster, c. 1620.
Lancashire was divided among a great many small landed families, more than most northern counties. Estates were passed down whole rather than split up, so the same names hold the same ground for centuries in the records.
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 Oldham 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 Lancaster.
Origin & History of the Oldham Family in England
The surname Oldham is a classic example of a locative name, meaning it was originally taken from the place where a family lived. The name is derived from the town of Oldham in Lancashire, England, which was historically known as Aldholme. This name combines the Old English words for "old" and "holm," which refers to a piece of flat land near a river or a small island. By the time members of the family were documented in Lancaster in 1620, the name had already been established in the region for several centuries. Families during this era often adopted the names of their home villages to help distinguish themselves from others in growing communities. As these individuals moved throughout Lancashire, they carried the identity of their ancestral home with them, eventually cementing the name as a permanent family identifier that persisted through generations of English history.
Oldham Meaning & Related Branches
Root word
ald-ham
Old English words for old or ancient and a homestead or village.
This name
OldhamRefers to a person who lived at or near an ancient settlement or homestead.
also spelled
Oldeham
Documented Sources
Sir Bernard Burke, The General Armory of England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales, London: Harrison & Sons, 1884
Ekwall, Eilert. The Place-Names of Lancashire. 1922
Mills, A.D. A Dictionary of English Place-Names. 1991
Lancashire Archives, Bishop’s Transcripts of Parish Registers, Series DRB/2/10
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
chevronProtection, and faithful service completed
chiefAuthority, wisdom and dominion
owlWisdom and vigilance by night
roseThe seventh son, and beauty with grace
chevronProtection, and faithful service completed
chiefAuthority, wisdom and dominion
owlWisdom and vigilance by night
roseThe seventh son, and beauty with grace
