Map of England showing where the Ridden arms are recorded
The Ridden 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 Ridden 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 Ridden Family in England
The family name Ridden has deep roots in the English county of Devon, where records confirm members of the family were established by the year 1620. The name likely originated as a topographical surname, which was a common way for people to identify themselves based on the land where they lived. It is believed to be derived from the Old English word *ryding*, which refers to a piece of land that has been cleared of trees for farming or settlement. During the early 17th century, families in Devon were often deeply connected to the local landscape, and those who worked or lived on these cleared plots of land would have been known to their neighbors by this descriptive title. As the family grew and moved throughout the region, the name became a permanent way to mark their history and their connection to the rural geography of the West Country.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Ryden
Old English term for a cleared area of woodland.
This name
RiddenA habitational name for someone who lived near a forest clearing.
also spelled
Ryden
Rydin
Ryding
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, 1991
Devon Archives and Local Studies Service, Parish Registers of Devon, 1620
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
paleMilitary strength, and a fortified defence
griffinValour and vigilance, guarding great treasure
paleMilitary strength, and a fortified defence
griffinValour and vigilance, guarding great treasure
