Map of Wales showing where the Wedge arms are recorded
The Wedge arms were recorded in Wales, c. 1647.
Arms such as these were typically recorded in Denbigh.
Denbighshire was north Welsh country of hills and small estates. Land was held by a great many families rather than a few, and each holding brought its own claim 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 Wales in this period.
Charles I of England
Sovereign of the period
Charles I of England
1625–1649
Reigning in Wales when the Wedge arms are first recorded.
How Arms Worked in Wales
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 Wales.
Origin & History of the Wedge Family in Wales
The surname Wedge is considered a locational or descriptive name that likely originated in England before spreading into neighboring regions. By the mid-seventeenth century, records confirm that members of the Wedge family were established in the historic town of Denbigh in North Wales. In 1647, this area was a significant focal point of activity during the English Civil War, as the town and its prominent castle played a strategic role in the conflict between Royalist and Parliamentary forces. Families living in Denbigh during this era were often involved in the local trade, agriculture, or the administrative life of the market town. The presence of the Wedge name in these early parish and civil records suggests that the family was well-integrated into the social fabric of the Welsh borderlands during a period of great national upheaval.
Wedge Meaning & Related Branches
Root word
weg
Old English word meaning a path, way, or track.
This name
WedgeA topographical name for someone who lived near a path or a boundary marker.
Related arms
Wadgesame arms
Documented Sources
Sir Bernard Burke, The General Armory of England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales, London: Harrison & Sons, 1884
Davies, John. A History of Wales. 1990
Reaney, Percy Hide. A Dictionary of English Surnames. 1958
The National Archives, State Papers Domestic, Charles I. 1647
National Library of Wales, Denbighshire Quarter Sessions Records. 1647
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
mulletThe third son, and a divine quality from above
chevronProtection, and faithful service completed
mulletThe third son, and a divine quality from above
