Map of England showing where the Redman arms are recorded
The Redman arms were recorded in Norfolk, c. 1595.
Norfolk grew rich on wool and grain, and its wealth was spread among many middling families rather than a few great ones. Households of that kind 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.
Elizabeth I of England
Sovereign of the period
Elizabeth I of England
1558–1603
Reigning in England when the Redman 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 Norfolk.
Origin & History of the Redman Family in England
The surname Redman is a descriptive name that likely originated in medieval England to identify a person by their physical appearance. It was commonly used as a nickname for someone with a ruddy complexion or hair that was distinctly red in color. By the late 16th century, the family had established a notable presence in the county of Norfolk. Records from 1595 confirm that members of the Redman family were living and working in this region during the reign of Queen Elizabeth I. During this era, families often lived in the same rural parishes for generations, working primarily in agriculture or local trades. As the name spread across the English countryside, it became a permanent family identifier that was passed down from parents to their children.
Redman Meaning & Related Branches
Root word
Readman
Derived from the Old English words for red and man.
This name
RedmanA descriptive occupational or nickname for a person with red hair or a ruddy complexion.
also spelled
Redmayn
Redmaine
Redeman
Related arms
Redmaynvariant spelling
Eltonrecorded with Redman, same area
Fisherrecorded with Redman, same area
Hobledayrecorded with Redman, same area
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
Bardsley, Charles Wareing, A Dictionary of English and Welsh Surnames, 1901
Norfolk Record Office, Parish Register Transcripts, 1595
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cross symbolChristian faith and service
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cross symbolChristian faith and service
pillowRest earned, and authority at ease
