Map of England showing where the Paulden arms are recorded
The Paulden 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 Paulden 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 Paulden Family in England
The surname Paulden is a locational name that likely originated from the northern regions of England. By the early seventeenth century, the family was firmly established in the city of York, where records confirm their presence as early as 1620. During this period, York was a bustling center of trade and religious life, and families like the Pauldens were often involved in the local merchant guilds or the civic administration of the city. The name itself is thought to be derived from a combination of the personal name Paul and the Old English word den, which refers to a valley or a wooded pasture. This suggests that the earliest ancestors of the family may have lived near a specific clearing or valley that became associated with their name. As the family grew, they became integrated into the social fabric of Yorkshire, leaving behind traces in parish registers and local legal documents that reflect their long-standing ties to the region.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Paulus
Latin word meaning small or humble.
This name
PauldenDerived from a place name meaning the valley belonging to Paul.
also spelled
Polden
Pouldon
Pouldin
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, Percy Hide, A Dictionary of British Surnames, 1958
Borthwick Institute for Archives, York Diocesan Records: Parish Registers of York St. Martin-cum-Gregory
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