A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Tudor family lines. Documented in 3 countries.
Reg. 0159 · Britain, T–V
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
martletA younger son, who must win his own land
fleur de lisPurity, light, and the sixth son
lionCourage, strength and royalty
Colours
Blue (Azure)Means: Loyalty and truth
Red (Gules)Means: Military strength
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)
“Ec., d'azur à trois fleurs-de-lis d'or, et de gu. à trois léopards d'or, l'un sur l'autre. L'écu entouré d'une bord. d'azur, ch. de huit martinets d'or. C.: un léopard d'or, orné d'un collier d'azur ch. de trois martinets d'or, et posé sur un chapeau de tournoi de gu., retr. d'herm.”
Britainc. 1452
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Map of Britain showing where the Tudor arms are recorded
The Tudor arms were recorded in Britain, c. 1452.
Arms such as these were typically recorded in Kent.
Kent sits between London and the short crossing to Europe, and the trade passing through made it wealthy. Merchant families bought land with that money, and it was landowners who took coats 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 Britain in this period.
Henry VI of England
Sovereign of the period
Henry VI of England
1422–1461
Reigning in Britain when the Tudor arms are first recorded.
How Arms Worked in Britain
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 Britain.
Origin & History of the Tudor Family in Britain
The Tudor family name traces its roots back to the Welsh name Tewdwr, which translates to mean gift of God. While the dynasty is most famous for its later rule over the English throne, the family had humble beginnings as minor landowners and courtiers. By the middle of the fifteenth century, members of the family were well-established in the county of Kent. Records from 1452 confirm their presence in this region, where they lived as part of the local gentry long before they rose to national prominence. This period in Kent served as a bridge between their Welsh ancestry and their eventual ascent to the monarchy. By settling into English society, the family successfully transitioned from regional landowners into the powerful political figures who would eventually reshape the history of the British Isles.
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
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 lion ramp. or”
Englandc. 1620
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Map of England showing where the Tudor arms are recorded
The Tudor 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 Britain when the Tudor 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 Tudor Family in England
The Tudor name carries a long history that stretches back to the Welsh roots of the royal dynasty, but its presence in northern England reveals a different side of the family story. By the year 1620, records show that members of the Tudor family were established in the city of York. During this period, York was a major center for trade and religious life, serving as a hub for families who moved across the country to seek new opportunities in commerce or craftsmanship. While the name is most famous for the monarchs who ruled England during the sixteenth century, the families living in York were likely part of the broader migration of people who carried the name into different regions. These early residents helped weave the name into the local fabric of the city, transitioning from their ancient origins into the everyday life of a bustling English town.
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
labelThe eldest son, during his father's life
fleur de lisPurity, light, and the sixth son
lionCourage, strength and royalty
Colours
Blue (Azure)Means: Loyalty and truth
Red (Gules)Means: Military strength
Silver (Argent)Means: Peace and sincerity
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)
“Quarterly, France and England, a label of three points ar”
WalesArthur, c. 1566
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Map of Wales showing where the Tudor arms are recorded
The Tudor arms were recorded in Arthur, c. 1566.
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.
Elizabeth I of England
Sovereign of the period
Elizabeth I of England
1558–1603
Reigning in Britain when the Tudor 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 Tudor Family in Wales
The roots of the Tudor name in Wales are deeply connected to the cultural traditions of the region, where the surname evolved from the ancient Welsh given name Tudur. This name translates to something similar to "ruler of the people" or "people's chief." Long before the family gained national fame, individuals bearing this name lived as part of the local Welsh community. By the mid-sixteenth century, the family had established a clear presence in the town of Denbigh. Records from 1566 show that members of the family were active participants in the social and economic life of this market town. During this era, many Welsh families were transitioning from traditional naming customs to the use of fixed surnames. The Tudor family in Denbigh represents this shift as they integrated into the changing administrative landscape of North Wales while maintaining their ancestral ties to the region.
Tudor Meaning & Related Branches
Root word
Theodoric
Derived from Germanic elements meaning ruler of the people.
This name
TudorA Welsh form of Theodore, signifying a gift from God or divine gift.
also spelled
Tudyr
Tudder
Related arms
Tudyrvariant spelling
Tydyr, or Twdryvariant spelling
Bishopberyrecorded with Tudor, same area
Digbyrecorded with Tudor, same area
Documented Sources
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Griffiths, Ralph A. and Thomas, Roger S., The Making of the Tudor Dynasty, 1985
Jones, Michael K. and Underwood, Malcolm G., The King's Mother: Lady Margaret Beaufort, Countess of Richmond and Derby, 1992
The National Archives, Kew, Court of Common Pleas: Plea Rolls, CP 40
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
fleur de lisPurity, light, and the sixth son
lionCourage, strength and royalty
martletA younger son, who must win his own land
fleur de lisPurity, light, and the sixth son
lionCourage, strength and royalty
labelThe eldest son, during his father's life
