A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Waldgrave family lines. Documented in 3 countries.
Reg. 3791 · French, W–Z
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Colours
Silver (Argent)Means: Peace and sincerity
Red (Gules)Means: Military strength
Historical info
Source
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Blazon (the actual original written record)
“Parti d'arg. et de gu. Cq. cour. C.: un panache de cinq pl. d'aut., parti d'arg. et de gu. S.: deux dogues de sa., oreillés d'or, sommés de couronnes murales du même. D.: CŒLUM NON ANIMUM.”
Francec. 1643
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Map of France showing where the Waldgrave arms are recorded
The Waldgrave arms were recorded in France, c. 1643.
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 XIII of France
Sovereign of the period
Louis XIII of France
1617–1643
Reigning in France when the Waldgrave 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 Waldgrave Family in France
The family name Waldgrave, while often associated with later English history, maintains a distinct connection to the cultural landscape of seventeenth-century France. Records confirm that members of the family were established in the province of Bretagne by 1643, a time when the region served as a vital crossroads for trade and political movement between the continent and the British Isles. During this period, families in Bretagne often navigated complex social structures defined by local land ownership and regional administrative roles. The presence of the Waldgrave name in these historical documents suggests that the family was integrated into the local community, likely participating in the agricultural or merchant activities that sustained the coastal towns of the era. By settling in this specific part of France, the early members of the family became part of the long history of migration and cultural exchange that shaped the identity of the Breton people during the seventeenth century.
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Colours
Silver (Argent)Means: Peace and sincerity
Red (Gules)Means: Military strength
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 pale ar. and gu”
Irelandc. 1645
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Map of Ireland showing where the Waldgrave arms are recorded
The Waldgrave arms were recorded in Ireland, c. 1645.
Arms such as these were typically recorded in Dublin.
Dublin was the seat of government in Ireland and the place where grants were sought and recorded. Families with business at the castle or the courts settled nearby, and settling there put their arms on record.
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 Ireland in this period.
Charles I of England
Sovereign of the period
Charles I of England
1625–1649
Reigning in France when the Waldgrave arms are first recorded.
How Arms Worked in Ireland
The Ulster King of Arms granted coats of arms to individuals who proved their social standing and good character. These symbols were typically inherited by all legitimate descendants of the original holder. If a family branch wanted a unique look, they could apply for a specific change to their design through the office to ensure their identity remained distinct.
Granting authority
The Ulster King of Arms acted as the official body that regulated and issued all coats of arms throughout Ireland.
How they got arms
Families obtained their arms through formal grants issued by the office after proving their eligibility and paying the required fees.
Where arms were recorded
All official grants were recorded in the registers held by the Ulster King of Arms starting from the year 1552.
The family's standing
Recorded among the armigerous families of Ireland.
Origin & History of the Waldgrave Family in Ireland
The history of the Waldgrave family in Ireland is rooted in the mid-seventeenth century, a period defined by significant political and social upheaval. Records confirm that members of the family were established in Dublin by 1645, a time when the city served as a primary hub for English administration and trade. During this era, families with names like Waldgrave often arrived in Ireland as part of the broader movement of settlers seeking new opportunities or serving in official capacities within the capital. As they integrated into the local community, these early settlers navigated the complex legal and economic landscape of a city under the influence of the English Crown. While the family name itself carries older linguistic origins, its presence in Dublin during the 1640s highlights the family's role in the urban growth and administrative life of Ireland during a transformative century.
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
bordureA difference between branches of one family
Colours
Silver (Argent)Means: Peace and sincerity
Red (Gules)Means: Military strength
Black (Sable)Means: Constancy
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 pale ar. and gu. a border engr. sa”
SuffolkSuffolk, c. 1620
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Map of England showing where the Waldgrave arms are recorded
The Waldgrave arms were recorded in Suffolk, c. 1620.
Suffolk was wool country, and its cloth towns were among the wealthiest in England. Clothier families bought manors with their profits, and holding a manor was the ordinary route 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 England in this period.
James VI and I
Sovereign of the period
James VI and I
1603–1625
Reigning in France when the Waldgrave 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 Suffolk.
Origin & History of the Waldgrave Family in England
The family name Waldgrave, often spelled Waldegrave in early records, is deeply rooted in the history of East Anglia. By the early 17th century, the family had established a strong presence in the county of Suffolk. The name itself is topographical in origin, likely derived from Old English terms describing someone who lived near a wood or served as a guardian of a forest. During the medieval and early modern periods, families with this name were often connected to the landed gentry and held significant influence within their local communities. Their presence in Suffolk by 1620 reflects a long-standing pattern of settlement in the region, where the family managed estates and participated in the social and political life of the English countryside. Over several generations, the Waldgraves became well-integrated into the fabric of Suffolk society, leaving behind records of their land ownership and local administrative roles that help historians trace their movement through the centuries.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Wald-graf
Germanic roots meaning forest and count or governor.
This name
WaldgraveA title for an official or count responsible for managing a forest region.
also spelled
Waldegravee
Waldegrav
Walgrave
Waldegraue
Waldegreve
Documented Sources
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Archives départementales d'Ille-et-Vilaine, Série E (Série E, État civil et registres paroissiaux)
Le Moyne de La Borderie, Arthur, Histoire de Bretagne, 1896
Pocquet du Haut-Jussé, Barthélemy, La Bretagne aux temps modernes, 1969
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bordureA difference between branches of one family
