Map of England showing where the Redshaw arms are recorded
The Redshaw 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 Redshaw 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 Redshaw Family in England
The surname Redshaw is a locative name, meaning it originally identified people based on the specific landscape where they lived. The name is derived from the Old English words "read," meaning red, and "sceaga," which refers to a small wood or thicket. This suggests that the earliest ancestors bearing this name likely resided near a patch of woodland known for its reddish soil or perhaps the distinct color of its autumn leaves. By the year 1620, historical records confirm that the family was well-established in the county of Lancashire. During this period, families in the region were often deeply connected to the local agricultural economy and the growing textile trade that defined Northern England. As the family grew in Lancaster, they became part of the social fabric of a town that served as a vital hub for commerce and regional governance.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
read + sceaga
Old English for red and a small wood or thicket.
This name
RedshawA topographical name for someone who lived near a wooded area with red soil or foliage.
also spelled
Redshaw
Redshawe
Readshew
Documented Sources
Sir Bernard Burke, The General Armory of England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales, London: Harrison & Sons, 1884
Ekwall, Eilert. The Concise Oxford Dictionary of English Place-names. 1960
Reaney, P.H. and Wilson, R.M. A Dictionary of English Surnames. 1991
Lancashire Archives, Bishop’s Transcripts of Parish Registers for the Diocese of Chester, 1620
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
chiefAuthority, wisdom and dominion
greyhoundCourage, vigilance and loyalty
arms pheon arrowheadReadiness for battle, and the broad arrow of the sovereign
chiefAuthority, wisdom and dominion
greyhoundCourage, vigilance and loyalty
arms pheon arrowheadReadiness for battle, and the broad arrow of the sovereign
