A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Spaulding family lines. Documented in 3 countries.
Reg. 9136 · German, T–V
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
cross symbolChristian faith and service
crescentHonour by the sovereign, and the second son
swordJustice, and military honour
Colours
Black (Sable)Means: Constancy
Blue (Azure)Means: Loyalty and truth
Silver (Argent)Means: Peace and sincerity
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)
“Coupé: au 1 de sa. à la croix alésée d'arg.; au 2 d'azur à deux croiss. figurés d'or, l'un sur l'autre, celui en p. supp. trois poignards d'or, en bande, en pal et en barre, les pointes en bas. Cq. cour. C.: un croiss. figuré tourné d'or. L.: à dextre d'arg. et de sa., à sen. d'arg. et d'azur.”
Germanyc. 1679
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Map of Germany showing where the Spaulding arms are recorded
The Spaulding arms were recorded in Germany, c. 1679.
Arms such as these were typically recorded in Bavaria.
Bavaria was a country of old landed families and walled market towns. Estates passed down the same line for centuries, and both the landowners and the leading townsmen kept arms, which is why so many Bavarian names sit in the registers.
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 Germany in this period.
Leopold I, Holy Roman Emperor
Sovereign of the period
Leopold I, Holy Roman Emperor
1658–1705
Reigning in Germany when the Spaulding arms are first recorded.
How Arms Worked in Germany
In the Holy Roman Empire, coats of arms were often granted to individuals by the Emperor or his representatives. These arms were then passed down through the generations to all legitimate descendants of the original holder. Younger branches of a family usually kept the same shield design without needing to change it, as the arms belonged to the entire lineage.
Granting authority
The Holy Roman Emperor held the sole power to grant new coats of arms throughout his vast imperial territories.
How they got arms
Families typically obtained their coats of arms through a formal imperial grant or by proving their noble status to the authorities.
Where arms were recorded
These grants were officially recorded in the Imperial Chancery registers, which began keeping formal records of such honors during the Middle Ages.
The family's standing
Recorded among the armigerous families of Germany.
Origin & History of the Spaulding Family in Germany
The roots of the Spaulding name in Germany are deeply connected to the landscape and social structures of the seventeenth century. By 1679, records confirm that members of the family were established in the region of Bavaria. During this period, the name likely functioned as a topographic identifier, which was a common way for people to describe where they lived in relation to local landmarks or specific types of vegetation. Life in rural Bavaria at this time was defined by the transition from the aftermath of the Thirty Years' War to a period of slow agricultural recovery. Families like the Spauldings were typically tied to the land, working within the strict social hierarchies of the Bavarian Electorate. As they navigated the challenges of a changing central Europe, the family name became a permanent marker of their presence in the German countryside and their integration into the local community.
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
paleMilitary strength, and a fortified defence
buckleFidelity, and a bond firmly held
Colours
Blue (Azure)Means: Loyalty and truth
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 fess az. and or, a pale counterchanged, three buckles of the second”
Englandc. 1620
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Map of England showing where the Spaulding arms are recorded
The Spaulding arms were recorded in England, c. 1620.
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.
James VI and I
Sovereign of the period
James VI and I
1603–1625
Reigning in Germany when the Spaulding 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 Spaulding Family in England
The surname Spaulding originates from the historic market town of Spalding in Lincolnshire, England. During the medieval period, it was common for people to adopt the name of their home town as a way to identify themselves when traveling or moving to new areas. The name itself is derived from the Old English word "spald," which refers to a ditch or a dividing stream, combined with the suffix "ing," meaning the people of that place. By the early 17th century, members of the family had established themselves in the city of York. This move likely reflected the broader trend of families migrating toward growing urban centers for trade and professional opportunities during the reign of King James I. These early records in York provide a clear link between the family’s geographic roots in the Lincolnshire fens and their later expansion into the northern administrative hubs of England.
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
cross symbolChristian faith and service
Colours
Gold (Or)Means: Generosity
Blue (Azure)Means: Loyalty and truth
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)
“Or, on a cross az. five crosses crosslet of the first”
Scotlandc. 1685
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Map of Scotland showing where the Spaulding arms are recorded
The Spaulding arms were recorded in Scotland, c. 1685.
Arms such as these were typically recorded in Edinburgh.
Edinburgh was the seat of Scotland's government, its courts and its heralds. Families with business there settled nearby, and being close to where arms were recorded is exactly why so many of them appear.
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 Scotland in this period.
Charles II of England
Sovereign of the period
Charles II of England
1660–1685
Reigning in Germany when the Spaulding arms are first recorded.
How Arms Worked in Scotland
Scottish heraldry is unique because it treats a coat of arms as a piece of personal property protected by law. Only one person can own a specific design at any given time. When a family grows, the head keeps the original shield while other relatives must apply for their own distinct version with slight changes to prove their specific identity.
Granting authority
The Court of the Lord Lyon acts as the official body that regulates and controls all heraldic matters throughout Scotland.
How they got arms
Individuals obtain a legal right to their arms through a formal petition process that confirms their identity and family connection.
Where arms were recorded
All valid coats of arms are officially entered into the Public Register of All Arms and Bearings starting from 1672.
The family's standing
Recorded among the armigerous families of Scotland.
Origin & History of the Spaulding Family in Scotland
The history of the Spaulding name in Scotland is deeply tied to the urban development of Edinburgh during the late seventeenth century. By 1685, records confirm that members of the family were established residents within the city, a period marked by significant social and political transition in the Scottish capital. The name itself is believed to be locational in origin, likely derived from the town of Spalding in Lincolnshire, England. Over several generations, individuals bearing this name migrated northward, eventually integrating into the professional and merchant classes of Edinburgh. During this era, families like the Spauldings often contributed to the city’s growing administrative and legal sectors, which were expanding rapidly as Edinburgh solidified its role as a center of Scottish governance. This early presence suggests that the family was part of a broader movement of people crossing borders to pursue new opportunities in trade and civil service during a time of great change for the nation.
Spaulding Meaning & Related Branches
Root word
Spalding
A place name derived from the Old English spauld meaning a spa.
This name
SpauldingRefers to someone who originated from the town of Spalding in Lincolnshire, England.
also spelled
Spaldinge
Spaldingg
Spaldyng
Spaldin
Documented Sources
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
cross symbolChristian faith and service
crescentHonour by the sovereign, and the second son
swordJustice, and military honour
cross symbolChristian faith and service
crescentHonour by the sovereign, and the second son
swordJustice, and military honour
paleMilitary strength, and a fortified defence
buckleFidelity, and a bond firmly held
