Map of England showing where the Pinder arms are recorded
The Pinder arms were recorded in Lincoln, c. 1538.
Lincolnshire was rich farming country, and its wealth was spread across many middling families. Households of that size bought land and took arms, and the county holds a large share of English names.
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.
Henry VIII of England
Sovereign of the period
Henry VIII of England
1509–1547
Reigning in England when the Pinder 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 Lincoln.
Origin & History of the Pinder Family in England
The surname Pinder is an occupational name that originated in medieval England. A pinder was a village official responsible for rounding up stray animals and keeping them in a communal enclosure known as a pindfold. Because this role was essential for protecting local crops from wandering livestock, the name became common in rural communities across the country. By the time records confirm the family’s presence in Lincoln in 1538, the name was already well-established as a way to identify individuals by their public service. These early ancestors likely lived in small agricultural parishes where they managed the movement of cattle and sheep. Over time, the name transitioned from a specific job title into a permanent family surname passed down through generations.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
pinder
an official who impounded stray animals found on common land
This name
Pinderan occupational surname for a person responsible for penning or impounding stray livestock
also spelled
Pindar
Pynder
Pyndar
Related arms
Pindarvariant spelling
Pyndarvariant 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
Reaney, P.H., A Dictionary of British Surnames, 1958
Lincolnshire Archives, Bishop's Transcripts of Parish Registers, 1538
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
lionCourage, strength and royalty
chevronProtection, and faithful service completed
lionCourage, strength and royalty
