Map of England showing where the Saunders arms are recorded
The Saunders arms were recorded in England, c. 1597.
Arms such as these were typically recorded in York.
Yorkshire is the largest of the English counties, and it held more gentry families than any other. Land there was split among a great many households rather than a few, so a great many of them carried 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.
Elizabeth I of England
Sovereign of the period
Elizabeth I of England
1558–1603
Reigning in England when the Saunders 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 England.
Origin & History of the Saunders Family in England
The surname Saunders is a patronymic name, meaning it originated as a way to identify someone as the son of Alexander. During the Middle Ages, Alexander was frequently shortened to Sander, and the addition of the letter "s" indicated that a person was the son of that individual. By the late 16th century, the name had become well-established across various regions of England. Records confirm that members of the Saunders family were living in the city of York by 1597. At that time, York was a major center for trade and religion, and families with this name were often involved in the local merchant guilds or the agricultural life of the surrounding countryside. As the name spread through different parishes, it became a common fixture in local census records and church registers, reflecting the growth and movement of families during the Tudor and Stuart periods.
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
chevronProtection, and faithful service completed
bullValour and generosity
Colours
Black (Sable)Means: Constancy
ErmineMeans: Dignity
Silver (Argent)Means: Peace and sincerity
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)
“Sa. a chev. erm. betw. three bulls' heads cabossed ar”
HantsDown House · Hants, c. 1645
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Map of Ireland showing where the Saunders arms are recorded
The Saunders arms were recorded in Hants, c. 1645.
Hampshire had the naval dockyards at Portsmouth on one side and good farmland on the other. Sea money and land money both bought estates, and an estate was what brought a family its 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 Ireland in this period.
Charles I of England
Sovereign of the period
Charles I of England
1625–1649
Reigning in England when the Saunders 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 Hants.
Origin & History of the Saunders Family in Ireland
The surname Saunders originated as a patronymic name, meaning it was derived from the given name Alexander. While the name has deep roots in England, particularly in Hampshire where family members were documented in 1645, its presence in Ireland grew significantly during the seventeenth century. Many individuals bearing this name arrived in Ireland as part of the organized settlements and land grants that occurred during the Cromwellian period. These early settlers often served as officers or administrators, helping to establish new communities across the Irish landscape. Over time, these families integrated into the local society, and the name became firmly established in various Irish counties. By moving from their ancestral English regions to Ireland, these families helped shape the cultural and social history of the areas where they settled.
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
elephantGreat strength, wit and ambition
Colours
Black (Sable)Means: Constancy
Silver (Argent)Means: Peace and sincerity
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 ar. three elephants' heads erased, trunks elevated counterchanged”
Walesc. 1662
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Map of Wales showing where the Saunders arms are recorded
The Saunders arms were recorded in Wales, c. 1662.
Arms such as these were typically recorded in Denbigh.
Denbighshire was north Welsh country of hills and small estates. Land was held by a great many families rather than a few, and each holding brought its own claim to 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 Wales in this period.
Charles II of England
Sovereign of the period
Charles II of England
1660–1685
Reigning in England when the Saunders arms are first recorded.
How Arms Worked in Wales
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 Wales.
Origin & History of the Saunders Family in Wales
The history of the Saunders name in Wales is deeply connected to the social shifts of the seventeenth century. While the surname itself has roots in the personal name Alexander, its presence in the town of Denbigh by 1662 places the family within a period of significant transition following the English Civil War. During this era, Denbigh served as a vital administrative and market center in North Wales. Families living in the region at this time often navigated the complex intersection of Welsh cultural identity and the growing influence of English legal and naming customs. By settling in a prominent town like Denbigh, the early Saunders family likely participated in the local trade and civic life that defined the area. Their residence there suggests they were part of the established community that helped shape the town’s development during the Restoration period.
Saunders Meaning & Related Branches
Root word
Alexander
Derived from Greek words meaning defender or helper of mankind.
This name
SaundersA patronymic surname meaning son of Alexander, originating from the Middle English nickname Sander.
also spelled
Sanders
Saunderson
Sanderson
Related arms
Sanderssame arms
Sandervariant spelling
Sandersonvariant spelling
Documented Sources
Sir Bernard Burke, The General Armory of England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales, London: Harrison & Sons, 1884
Bardsley, Charles Wareing, A Dictionary of English and Welsh Surnames, 1901
Reaney, P.H. and Wilson, R.M., A Dictionary of English Surnames, 1991
Borthwick Institute for Archives, York Diocesan Archives: Parish Registers of York, 1597
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
fessThe military belt, and readiness to serve
mulletThe third son, and a divine quality from above
fessThe military belt, and readiness to serve
mulletThe third son, and a divine quality from above
chevronProtection, and faithful service completed
bullValour and generosity
elephantGreat strength, wit and ambition
