Map of England showing where the Olding arms are recorded
The Olding 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 Olding 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 Olding Family in England
The family name Olding is rooted in the linguistic traditions of Northern England, where it likely originated as a descriptive surname. During the early seventeenth century, records confirm that members of the Olding family were established in the city of York by 1620. At this time, York was a bustling center of trade and religious life, and families with this name were often integrated into the local merchant or artisan classes. The name itself is thought to be a patronymic variation, potentially derived from the Old English personal name Aldwine or a similar term meaning old friend or elder. By settling in a major regional hub like York, the early Oldings were positioned to participate in the significant social and economic shifts occurring in England during the Stuart period. Their presence in city parish registers suggests they were settled members of the community who contributed to the local labor force and civic life of the region.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Eald
Old or ancient
This name
OldingA patronymic surname meaning son of the old or elder person.
also spelled
Oldynton
Oldyntone
Oldingtonne
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
Borthwick Institute for Archives, York Diocesan Records: Parish Registers of York, 1620
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