A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Ordway family of England.
Reg. 6784 · English, M–O
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
paleMilitary strength, and a fortified defence
chiefAuthority, wisdom and dominion
crescentHonour by the sovereign, and the second son
mulletThe third son, and a divine quality from above
Colours
Silver (Argent)Means: Peace and sincerity
Gold (Or)Means: Generosity
Green (Vert)Means: Hope
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)
“Per pale ar. and or, on a chief indented vert a crescent betw. two mullets of the second”
Englandc. 1620
Where the Ordway Arms Were Recorded
York
Map of England showing where the Ordway arms are recorded
The Ordway 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 Ordway 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 Ordway Family in England
The Ordway family name is rooted in the Old English language, likely originating from the combination of the words "ord," meaning point or spear, and "weg," meaning way or path. This suggests that the name may have originally described a person who was a skilled warrior or perhaps someone who lived near a specific landmark. By the year 1620, records confirm that members of the family were established in the city of York, England. From this region, the family eventually crossed the Atlantic to participate in the early settlement of the American colonies. James Ordway, a notable early figure, arrived in Massachusetts during the mid-1600s and became a prominent member of the community in Newbury. His descendants helped shape the development of the New England frontier, carrying the name forward through generations of farmers, tradespeople, and pioneers.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Ord-weg
Derived from Old English words for spear and path or way.
This name
OrdwayRefers to a person who lived near a spear-shaped path or a prominent trail.
also spelled
Ordeway
Ordwey
Ordewey
Ordwai
Documented Sources
Sir Bernard Burke, The General Armory of England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales, London: Harrison & Sons, 1884
Banks, Charles Edward. Topographical Dictionary of 2885 English Emigrants to New England 1620-1650. 1937
Currier, John J. History of Newbury, Mass. 1635-1902. 1902
Essex County Quarterly Courts. Records and Files of the Quarterly Courts of Essex County, Massachusetts. 1911
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
paleMilitary strength, and a fortified defence
chiefAuthority, wisdom and dominion
crescentHonour by the sovereign, and the second son
mulletThe third son, and a divine quality from above
paleMilitary strength, and a fortified defence
chiefAuthority, wisdom and dominion
crescentHonour by the sovereign, and the second son
mulletThe third son, and a divine quality from above
