A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Pendleton family lines. Documented in 2 countries.
Reg. 4233 · English, P–S
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
fessThe military belt, and readiness to serve
chiefAuthority, wisdom and dominion
wheatsheafPlenty, and the harvest of one's own labour
Colours
Blue (Azure)Means: Loyalty and truth
Red (Gules)Means: Military strength
Silver (Argent)Means: Peace and sincerity
Gold (Or)Means: Generosity
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)
“Az. on a fesse gu. three garbs or, a chief ar”
LancasterLancaster, c. 1620
Where the Pendleton Arms Were Recorded
Lancaster
Map of England showing where the Pendleton arms are recorded
The Pendleton 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 Pendleton 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 Pendleton Family in England
The name Pendleton originated as a locational surname, derived from the Old English words "penn," meaning a pen or enclosure, and "tun," meaning a town or settlement. This suggests that the earliest members of the family were likely residents of a specific village or farmstead defined by its fenced boundaries. By the early 17th century, the family had established a notable presence in the county of Lancashire, particularly within the parish of Manchester. Records from 1620 highlight individuals bearing this name living in the region, where they were often involved in the local cloth trade and agricultural life. As the family grew, they became deeply integrated into the social and economic fabric of the North West of England, moving from small rural settlements into the expanding market towns that defined the era.
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
cross symbolChristian faith and service
Colours
Blue (Azure)Means: Loyalty and truth
Silver (Argent)Means: Peace and sincerity
Red (Gules)Means: Military strength
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)
“Az. a cross moline ar. surmounted of a similar cross gu”
DublinDublin, c. 1625
Where the Pendleton Arms Were Recorded
Dublin
Map of Ireland showing where the Pendleton arms are recorded
The Pendleton arms were recorded in Dublin, c. 1625.
Dublin was the seat of government in Ireland and the place where grants were sought and recorded. Families with business at the castle or the courts settled nearby, and settling there put their arms on record.
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 Ireland in this period.
James VI and I
Sovereign of the period
James VI and I
1603–1625
Reigning in England when the Pendleton arms are first recorded.
How Arms Worked in Ireland
The Ulster King of Arms granted coats of arms to individuals who proved their social standing and good character. These symbols were typically inherited by all legitimate descendants of the original holder. If a family branch wanted a unique look, they could apply for a specific change to their design through the office to ensure their identity remained distinct.
Granting authority
The Ulster King of Arms acted as the official body that regulated and issued all coats of arms throughout Ireland.
How they got arms
Families obtained their arms through formal grants issued by the office after proving their eligibility and paying the required fees.
Where arms were recorded
All official grants were recorded in the registers held by the Ulster King of Arms starting from the year 1552.
The family's standing
Recorded among the armigerous families of Dublin.
Origin & History of the Pendleton Family in Ireland
The Pendleton family name in Ireland is deeply connected to the shifting political and social landscape of the seventeenth century. While the name is of English origin, records confirm that family members were established in Dublin by 1625. During this period, Dublin served as a bustling center for trade and administration, attracting settlers from across the Irish Sea who sought new opportunities in the capital. These early Pendletons likely integrated into the city’s growing merchant class or took up roles within the local government structures of the time. As they settled into their new environment, the family became part of the complex social fabric of colonial Dublin, navigating the challenges of a city undergoing rapid expansion and religious transition. Their presence in the city archives during the early 1600s highlights how families moved across borders to build lives in a changing Ireland.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Pen-tun
Old English for hill and settlement or enclosure.
This name
PendletonRefers to a person who lived near a settlement located on a hilltop.
also spelled
Pendelton
Pendylton
Pendletonne
Related arms
Peneltonvariant spelling
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
Ekwall, Eilert. The Place-Names of Lancashire. 1922
The National Archives, Kew. Lancashire Quarter Sessions Records, QSP/1/1-10
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
fessThe military belt, and readiness to serve
chiefAuthority, wisdom and dominion
wheatsheafPlenty, and the harvest of one's own labour
fessThe military belt, and readiness to serve
chiefAuthority, wisdom and dominion
wheatsheafPlenty, and the harvest of one's own labour
cross symbolChristian faith and service
