Map of England showing where the Walkden arms are recorded
The Walkden arms were recorded in London, c. 1568.
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.
Elizabeth I of England
Sovereign of the period
Elizabeth I of England
1558–1603
Reigning in England when the Walkden 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 Walkden Family in England
The surname Walkden is a locative name, meaning it originated from a specific place rather than a trade or a personal characteristic. It is derived from the Old English words "wealc," which refers to a rolling or walking motion, and "denu," meaning a valley. This suggests that the first people to carry the name lived in or near a valley where the ground was uneven or perhaps used for the process of fulling cloth. By 1568, the family had established a presence in London, a time when the city was rapidly expanding as a center for trade and migration. During this period, individuals often moved from rural areas to the capital to seek new opportunities in the growing markets. As these families settled into urban life, they helped shape the diverse social fabric of Elizabethan London while carrying the geographical history of their ancestors within their name.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Wealden
Old English term referring to a forested or wooded area.
This name
WalkdenA habitational name derived from a valley or woodland clearing in Lancashire.
also spelled
Walkden
Walkedon
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
Reaney, Percy Hide, A Dictionary of British Surnames, 1958
London Metropolitan Archives, Church of England Parish Registers, 1538–1812
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
chevronProtection, and faithful service completed
chiefAuthority, wisdom and dominion
griffinValour and vigilance, guarding great treasure
anchorHope, and steadfastness in trouble
roundelA coin, and one who has been to the crusades
chevronProtection, and faithful service completed
chiefAuthority, wisdom and dominion
griffinValour and vigilance, guarding great treasure
anchorHope, and steadfastness in trouble
roundelA coin, and one who has been to the crusades
