Map of England showing where the Pardoe arms are recorded
The Pardoe arms were recorded in Worcester, c. 1620.
Worcestershire was orchard and farming country with a scattering of old manors. Its gentry were middling rather than great, but a manor was a manor, and holding one was what brought 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 Pardoe 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 Worcester.
Origin & History of the Pardoe Family in England
The surname Pardoe is rooted in the West Midlands of England, with a particularly strong historical presence in the city of Worcester. By the early 17th century, the family was well-established in this region, as evidenced by records confirming their residency in Worcester by 1620. The name itself is believed to be a nickname derived from the Middle English phrase "par dieu," which translates to "by God." It likely served as an oath or a common exclamation used by an ancestor, eventually becoming a permanent identifier for the family line. As the Pardoes settled into the social fabric of Worcester, they became active participants in local trade and civic life, helping to shape the community during a period of significant change in English history.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Pardieu
Old French phrase meaning by God.
This name
PardoeA nickname for someone who frequently used the oath by God.
also spelled
Pardow
Pardowe
Related arms
Barclayrecorded with Pardoe, same area
Bestrecorded with Pardoe, same area
Clintonrecorded with Pardoe, same area
D'Amery, or Aumaryrecorded with Pardoe, same area
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. and Wilson, R.M., A Dictionary of English Surnames, 1991
Worcestershire Archive and Archaeology Service, Parish Registers of the City of Worcester, 1620
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
cross symbolChristian faith and service
cinquefoilHope and joy
chevronProtection, and faithful service completed
cross symbolChristian faith and service
cinquefoilHope and joy
