A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Sandford family lines. Documented in 3 countries.
Reg. 0240 · French, T–V
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
boars headA fierce fighter who battles to the end
Colours
Black (Sable)Means: Constancy
ErmineMeans: Dignity
Gold (Or)Means: Generosity
Historical info
Source
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Blazon (the actual original written record)
“de sa. sur herm.; le sa. ch. de deux hures de sanglier d'or. Cq. timbré d'une couronne de gu. C.: une hure et col de sanglier d'or. S.: à dextre un lion de gu., coll. d'or; à sen. un sanglier de sa. D.: COR UNUM, VIA UNA.”
Francec. 1790
Where the Sandford Arms Were Recorded
Bretagne
Map of France showing where the Sandford arms are recorded
The Sandford arms were recorded in France, c. 1790.
Arms such as these were typically recorded in Bretagne.
More families held coats of arms in Bretagne than anywhere else in France. The land was divided into many small estates rather than a few large ones, so far more households counted as gentry, and each needed a shield of its own to be told apart.
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 France in this period.
Louis XVI of France
Sovereign of the period
Louis XVI of France
1774–1791
Reigning in France when the Sandford arms are first recorded.
How Arms Worked in France
In France, a coat of arms was a mark of honor that passed down through the male line to all legitimate descendants. Families often used the same shield without changes to show their shared heritage. If a branch wanted to stand out, they could add a small mark to their shield to show their specific place in the family tree.
Granting authority
The Juge d'armes de France acted as the official authority that regulated and verified coats of arms across the country.
How they got arms
Families typically inherited their arms from ancestors, though they could also receive them through royal grants or by proving their noble status.
Where arms were recorded
Coats of arms were officially recorded in the Armorial Général de France, which began its main collection in the year 1696.
The family's standing
Recorded among the armigerous families of France.
Origin & History of the Sandford Family in France
The history of the Sandford name in France is deeply tied to the regional identity of Bretagne during the late eighteenth century. By 1790, members of the family were established within this coastal province, a time when the region was undergoing significant political and social shifts following the French Revolution. The name likely arrived in the area through trade networks or migration patterns that connected the French coast with neighboring regions. Families living in Bretagne during this period often navigated a complex landscape of local traditions and evolving national laws. As the family settled into the local community, they became part of the unique cultural fabric of the Breton people. This early presence in the region suggests that the family was integrated into the local economy and social structures during a transformative era in French history.
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
chevronProtection, and faithful service completed
boars headA fierce fighter who battles to the end
Colours
Black (Sable)Means: Constancy
ErmineMeans: Dignity
Gold (Or)Means: Generosity
Historical info
Source
Sir Bernard Burke, The General Armory of England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales, London: Harrison & Sons, 1884
Blazon (the actual original written record)
“Per chev. sa. and erm. in chief two boars' heads couped close or, quartering Sprencheaux, Wynesbury, Jones, Middleton, Ribid Flaidd, Blaidd Rudd, Middleton, Bowdler, Berkeley, and Holland”
SalopThe Isle · Salop, c. 1426
Where the Sandford Arms Were Recorded
Salop
Map of England showing where the Sandford arms are recorded
The Sandford arms were recorded in Salop, c. 1426.
Shropshire lay on the Welsh border, and border country needed men who could fight. Families held their land in return for service, and service in arms is what a coat of arms was originally for.
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 VI of England
Sovereign of the period
Henry VI of England
1422–1461
Reigning in France when the Sandford 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 Salop.
Origin & History of the Sandford Family in England
The name Sandford is a classic example of a locational surname, which means it was originally taken from a specific place rather than a trade or a personal trait. The name translates literally to a sandy ford, referring to a river crossing with a sandy bottom that would have been a vital landmark for early travelers. By the year 1426, historical records confirm that members of the family were well-established in the county of Salop, which is also known as Shropshire. During this period, families often identified themselves by the lands they held or the villages where they resided. Because the geography of England included many river crossings, several distinct families likely adopted the name independently as they settled near these natural features. Over time, the family became deeply rooted in the social and administrative life of the region, transitioning from simple landholders to figures involved in local governance and community leadership.
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
chevronProtection, and faithful service completed
boars headA fierce fighter who battles to the end
Colours
Gold (Or)Means: Generosity
ErmineMeans: Dignity
Black (Sable)Means: Constancy
Historical info
Source
Sir Bernard Burke, The General Armory of England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales, London: Harrison & Sons, 1884
Blazon (the actual original written record)
“Per chev. or and erm. in chief two boars' heads erased sa”
MeathMeath, c. 1698
Where the Sandford Arms Were Recorded
Meath
Map of Ireland showing where the Sandford arms are recorded
The Sandford arms were recorded in Meath, c. 1698.
Meath was the best farmland in Ireland and the old seat of its high kings. Norman families took it early and held it, and land of that quality kept the same families on it for centuries.
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 Ireland in this period.
William III of England
Sovereign of the period
William III of England
1694–1702
Reigning in France when the Sandford arms are first recorded.
How Arms Worked in Ireland
The Ulster King of Arms granted coats of arms to individuals who proved their social standing and good character. These symbols were typically inherited by all legitimate descendants of the original holder. If a family branch wanted a unique look, they could apply for a specific change to their design through the office to ensure their identity remained distinct.
Granting authority
The Ulster King of Arms acted as the official body that regulated and issued all coats of arms throughout Ireland.
How they got arms
Families obtained their arms through formal grants issued by the office after proving their eligibility and paying the required fees.
Where arms were recorded
All official grants were recorded in the registers held by the Ulster King of Arms starting from the year 1552.
The family's standing
Recorded among the armigerous families of Meath.
Origin & History of the Sandford Family in Ireland
The Sandford family name in Ireland is deeply connected to the movement of English settlers during the seventeenth century. While the name originated in England, records confirm that members of the family had established a significant presence in County Meath by 1698. During this period, families like the Sandfords often acquired land through government grants or leases as part of the broader effort to settle the Irish countryside. By settling in Meath, which was a central hub for agriculture and administration, the family became integrated into the local landed society. Over time, they transitioned from newcomers to established residents who played a role in the local economy and community life of the region. This early history reflects the broader patterns of migration and land ownership that shaped the social landscape of Ireland at the turn of the eighteenth century.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Sandford
Derived from Old English words for sandy and a river crossing.
This name
SandfordA locational surname referring to a settlement situated near a sandy river ford.
also spelled
Sandfort
Sandforde
Zandford
Sandforth
Sandeford
Related arms
Sanfordvariant spelling
Senfordvariant spelling
Bérault de St.-Maurice et de Montmercyrecorded with Sandford, same area
Bettonrecorded with Sandford, same area
Documented Sources
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Archives départementales d'Ille-et-Vilaine, État civil et registres paroissiaux
Archives nationales de France, Série L: Documents relatifs à la période révolutionnaire
Le Goff, T. J. A., Vannes and its Region: A Study of Town and Country in Eighteenth-Century France, 1981
Meyer, Jean, La noblesse bretonne au XVIIIe siècle, 1966
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
boars headA fierce fighter who battles to the end
boars headA fierce fighter who battles to the end
chevronProtection, and faithful service completed
