Map of England showing where the Tedford arms are recorded
The Tedford 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 England when the Tedford 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 Tedford Family in England
The surname Tedford is a locational name that likely originated from a small settlement or a specific river crossing in England. The name is composed of two Old English elements, with the first part derived from a personal name and the second part meaning a ford or a shallow place in a river. By the year 1620, records indicate that members of the Tedford family were well-established in the city of York. During this period, families in York often lived near the city walls or along the River Ouse, where they worked as merchants, craftsmen, or tradespeople. As the family grew, some members moved to other parts of Northern England, eventually carrying the name across the Atlantic to the American colonies. This migration pattern was common for families seeking new economic opportunities in the seventeenth century, and it helped the name spread far beyond its original roots in Yorkshire.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Theod-ford
Derived from the Old English words for people and a river crossing.
This name
TedfordA dweller at the river crossing belonging to the people or tribe.
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., A Dictionary of British Surnames, 1958
York City Archives, York Freemen’s Register, 1620
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
chevronProtection, and faithful service completed
wingSwiftness, and protection under a raised wing
roundelA coin, and one who has been to the crusades
chevronProtection, and faithful service completed
wingSwiftness, and protection under a raised wing
roundelA coin, and one who has been to the crusades
