Map of England showing where the Todd arms are recorded
The Todd arms were recorded in Berks, c. 1620.
Berkshire sat on the road west from London with the royal castle at Windsor in the middle of it. Court families bought estates within reach, and an estate near the court almost always came with 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 England in this period.
James VI and I
Sovereign of the period
James VI and I
1603–1625
Reigning in England when the Todd 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 Berks.
Origin & History of the Todd Family in England
The surname Todd has deep roots in the British Isles, originating as a descriptive nickname derived from the Middle English word for a fox. In early medieval society, people were often given names based on their physical traits or personality, and someone known for their cleverness or red hair might be called a Todd. By the early 17th century, members of the family had established a clear presence in the county of Berks. Records from 1620 show that these individuals were integrated into the local community, likely working as farmers or tradespeople during a time of significant social change in England. As the family grew, they contributed to the local history of the region, leaving behind traces in parish registers and legal documents that help historians understand the lives of ordinary citizens during the Stuart period.
Todd Meaning & Related Branches
Root word
todde
Middle English word for a fox.
This name
ToddAn occupational name for a fox hunter or a nickname for a cunning person.
also spelled
Tode
Related arms
Cooperrecorded with Todd, same area
Fleggrecorded with Todd, same area
Littellrecorded with Todd, same area
Documented Sources
Sir Bernard Burke, The General Armory of England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales, London: Harrison & Sons, 1884
Reaney, P.H., A Dictionary of English Surnames, 1958
The National Archives, Prerogative Court of Canterbury and related Probate Jurisdictions: Will Registers, 1620
Berkshire Record Office, Parish Registers of the Archdeaconry of Berkshire, 1620
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
martletA younger son, who must win his own land
martletA younger son, who must win his own land
