A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Wardle family of Denmark.
Reg. 1946 · Danish, W–Z
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
fessThe military belt, and readiness to serve
cross symbolChristian faith and service
stagPeace and harmony, and one who will not fight unprovoked
Colours
Red (Gules)Means: Military strength
Green (Vert)Means: Hope
Silver (Argent)Means: Peace and sincerity
Blue (Azure)Means: Loyalty and truth
Historical info
Source
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Blazon (the actual original written record)
“parti de gu. et de sin.; à la fasce d'arg., br. sur le parti; et un cerf ramp. au nat., br. sur le tout; aux 2 et 3 d'or à la croix latine d'azur bordée de gu.”
Denmarkc. 1722
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Map of Denmark showing where the Wardle arms are recorded
The Wardle arms were recorded in Denmark, c. 1722.
Arms such as these were typically recorded in Sjaælland.
Zealand held the Danish court, the crown's offices and Copenhagen itself. Families who served the king kept estates within reach of it, and royal service 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 Denmark in this period.
Frederik IV of Denmark
Sovereign of the period
Frederik IV of Denmark
1699–1730
Reigning in Denmark when the Wardle arms are first recorded.
How Arms Worked in Denmark
Danish heraldry during this period was closely tied to noble status and royal favor rather than being open to all citizens. Arms were typically granted by the monarch to individuals, and these symbols were then shared by all members of the noble house. If a family line died out, the right to use those specific arms ended with them.
Granting authority
The Danish royal chancery held the power to issue and regulate official coats of arms for the kingdom.
How they got arms
Families usually received their arms through a formal royal grant that confirmed their noble status and rights.
Where arms were recorded
These grants were officially recorded in the Danish Royal Chancery records starting in the sixteenth century.
The family's standing
Recorded among the armigerous families of Denmark.
Origin & History of the Wardle Family in Denmark
The surname Wardle is primarily of English origin, derived from a place name in Cheshire that describes a small hill or a sheltered valley. While the name is deeply rooted in the British Isles, the family history takes a fascinating turn in the early eighteenth century when members were documented living on the Danish island of Zealand, or Sjælland, by 1722. During this period, individuals with this name often worked as skilled craftsmen or merchants who moved across Northern Europe to pursue new economic opportunities. These early ancestors integrated into local Danish society while maintaining their distinct family identity. Their presence in Sjælland suggests that the family was part of a broader network of travelers and professionals who helped connect the cultures of England and Scandinavia during the Enlightenment era.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Weard
Old English word meaning a guard, watchman, or protector.
This name
WardleDerived from a topographic location referring to a guard hill or a protected enclosure.
also spelled
Wardall
Wardale
Vardal
Documented Sources
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Danish National Archives (Rigsarkivet), Kirkebøger for Sjællands Stift
Reaney, P.H. and Wilson, R.M., A Dictionary of English Surnames, 1991
Smith, A.H., The Place-Names of Cheshire, 1970
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
cross symbolChristian faith and service
stagPeace and harmony, and one who will not fight unprovoked
fessThe military belt, and readiness to serve
cross symbolChristian faith and service
stagPeace and harmony, and one who will not fight unprovoked
