A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Sugden family lines. Documented in 2 countries.
Reg. 0029 · French, T–V
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
fessThe military belt, and readiness to serve
womanGrace, and the founding of a house
lionCourage, strength and royalty
Colours
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)
“D'arg. à la fasce d'or, acc. de trois bustes de femme de carn., rangés en chef, et d'une tête et col de léopard du sec. en p. C.: une tête et col de léopard d'or, coll. d'une couronne d'azur. S.: deux léopards d'or, tachetés d'émaux divers, coll. d'une couronne d'azur et enchainés du même. D.: LABORE VINCES.”
Francec. 1725
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Map of France showing where the Sugden arms are recorded
The Sugden arms were recorded in France, c. 1725.
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 XV of France
Sovereign of the period
Louis XV of France
1715–1774
Reigning in France when the Sugden 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 Sugden Family in France
The family name Sugden is traditionally associated with English origins, but historical records confirm a distinct branch established itself in the Brittany region of France by 1725. During the early eighteenth century, families often moved across the English Channel for trade, religious reasons, or military service. In the context of Brittany, the Sugden name likely integrated into local society through marriage and professional pursuits within the coastal towns. The presence of the family in this region suggests they were part of a small but significant community of expatriates who maintained their identity while adapting to the French language and legal customs. Over time, these early settlers became part of the local fabric, contributing to the agricultural and commercial life of the province during the late Ancien Régime.
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
fessThe military belt, and readiness to serve
womanGrace, and the founding of a house
lionCourage, strength and royalty
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)
“Az. a fess or, in chief three maidens' heads couped at the breast ppr. crined of the second, in base a leopard's face of the last”
Englandc. 1620
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Map of England showing where the Sugden arms are recorded
The Sugden 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 France when the Sugden 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 Sugden Family in England
The surname Sugden is a locative name, meaning it originated from a specific place in England. It is derived from the Old English words "sugga," which referred to a type of hedge sparrow or a swampy area, and "denu," which meant a valley. This suggests that the earliest people to carry the name were those who lived in or near a marshy valley. By the early 17th century, the family had established a notable presence in the historic city of York. Records from 1620 confirm that members of the Sugden family were living and working in this region during a time of significant social and economic change in Northern England. As the family grew, they became part of the local fabric of Yorkshire, contributing to the development of the area through their trades and community involvement.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Sugg
A medieval pet form of the Old English name Sugge.
This name
SugdenA topographical name denoting someone who lived in a valley or hollow.
also spelled
Sugdon
Sugdin
Sogden
Sugdenne
Documented Sources
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Archives départementales du Finistère, Série B, Fonds de l'Amirauté de Brest
Le Moyne de La Borderie, Arthur, Histoire de Bretagne, 1905
Pérennès, Henri, Dictionnaire biographique du Finistère, 1934
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
womanGrace, and the founding of a house
lionCourage, strength and royalty
fessThe military belt, and readiness to serve
womanGrace, and the founding of a house
lionCourage, strength and royalty
