Map of England showing where the Waldvogel arms are recorded
The Waldvogel arms were recorded in Worcester, c. 1620.
Worcestershire was orchard and farming country with a scattering of old manors. Its gentry were middling rather than great, but a manor was a manor, and holding one was what brought 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 Waldvogel 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 Worcester.
Origin & History of the Waldvogel Family in England
The surname Waldvogel originates from the German language and translates literally to forest bird. It is a topographic name, which means it was originally given to people who lived near a wooded area or worked as foresters. By the early 17th century, members of the family had established themselves in the region of Worcester. This period was a time of significant transition as families moved across borders to seek new opportunities in trade and agriculture. Because the name is rooted in the landscape, it suggests that the earliest ancestors were deeply connected to the natural environment of their home territory. Over time, the name became a permanent marker of their family history as they settled into the community and contributed to the local economy of the area.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Wald and Vogel
Forest and bird in Middle High German.
This name
WaldvogelA topographic or occupational name for someone who lived in or managed a forest bird sanctuary.
also spelled
Waldyve
Waldyv
Documented Sources
Sir Bernard Burke, The General Armory of England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales, London: Harrison & Sons, 1884
Bahlow, Hans, Deutsches Namenlexikon: Familien- und Vornamen nach Ursprung und Sinn erklärt, 1967
Heintze, Albert, Die deutschen Familien-Namen: geschichtlich, geographisch, sprachlich, 1903
Worcestershire Archive and Archaeology Service, Parish Registers of the Diocese of Worcester, 1620
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leopardA valiant warrior who braves danger
leopardA valiant warrior who braves danger
