Map of England showing where the Walford arms are recorded
The Walford arms were recorded in Warwick, c. 1620.
Warwickshire lay in the middle of England, and its landed families were spread evenly across it rather than gathered in one corner. A great many held a single manor each, and each of those holdings brought its own claim to 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 Walford 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 Warwick.
Origin & History of the Walford Family in England
The surname Walford is a locational name, meaning it originated from people who lived near a specific river crossing. The name is derived from the Old English words "weala," meaning foreigners or Britons, and "ford," which refers to a shallow place in a river that could be crossed on foot. By the year 1620, members of the Walford family were well-established in the town of Warwick, England. During this period, families often took their surnames from the geographic landmarks near their homes, suggesting that the earliest ancestors bearing this name likely resided near a ford used by the local population. As the family grew, they became integrated into the social and economic life of the Warwickshire region, marking the beginning of their documented history in the area.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Wealh and ford
Foreigner or Welshman and a shallow river crossing.
This name
WalfordA person who lived by the river crossing used by the Welsh or foreigners.
also spelled
Walforth
Related arms
Burmanrecorded with Walford, same area
Comberecorded with Walford, same area
Coombesrecorded with Walford, same area
Smithrecorded with Walford, same area
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
Ekwall, Eilert, The Concise Oxford Dictionary of English Place-names, 1960
Warwickshire County Record Office, Parish Registers of St Mary, Warwick, 1620
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
fessThe military belt, and readiness to serve
martletA younger son, who must win his own land
mulletThe third son, and a divine quality from above
fessThe military belt, and readiness to serve
martletA younger son, who must win his own land
mulletThe third son, and a divine quality from above
