Map of England showing where the Radford arms are recorded
The Radford arms were recorded in Devon, c. 1620.
Devon was a county of small manors and seafaring families. Its gentry were spread thickly across the countryside, and money made at sea often bought an estate, which in turn brought a coat of 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 Radford 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 Devon.
Origin & History of the Radford Family in England
The surname Radford is a locational name that originated in England, derived from the Old English words "read," meaning red, and "ford," meaning a river crossing. This suggests that the earliest members of the family likely lived near a shallow part of a stream or river where the soil or gravel appeared reddish in color. By the early 17th century, the family had established a strong presence in the county of Devon. Records from 1620 confirm that the Radfords were well-settled in this region, where they often worked as landowners or farmers. Over time, the name spread from these rural settlements into growing towns, as family members moved to seek new opportunities in trade and local government. Because the name is tied to specific geographic features, it appeared independently in several different parts of England, though the Devon branch remains one of the most historically significant lines.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Read and Ford
Red or reed-covered river crossing
This name
RadfordDerived from a location featuring a river crossing near red soil or reeds.
also spelled
Radeford
Radforth
Redford
Related arms
Ratfordvariant spelling
Redfordvariant spelling
Documented Sources
Sir Bernard Burke, The General Armory of England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales, London: Harrison & Sons, 1884
Reaney, P.H., A Dictionary of English Surnames, 1958
Ekwall, Eilert, The Concise Oxford Dictionary of English Place-Names, 1960
Devon Heritage Centre, Parish Registers and Estate Records of Devon, 1620
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