Map of England showing where the Wilford arms are recorded
The Wilford arms were recorded in Kent, c. 1620.
Kent sits between London and the short crossing to Europe, and the trade passing through made it wealthy. Merchant families bought land with that money, and it was landowners who took coats 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 England in this period.
James VI and I
Sovereign of the period
James VI and I
1603–1625
Reigning in England when the Wilford 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 Kent.
Origin & History of the Wilford Family in England
The surname Wilford is of English origin and is primarily classified as a locational name. It likely describes someone who lived near a specific river crossing, as the name combines the Old English words for a willow tree and a ford. By the early 17th century, the family had established a notable presence in the county of Kent. Records from 1620 confirm that members of the Wilford family were living in this region during a time of significant social and economic change in England. As the family settled in Kent, they became part of the local agricultural and merchant communities that defined the area. Over the following generations, the name spread from these early roots in the English countryside to other parts of the country and eventually overseas.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Wigfrith
Derived from Old English elements meaning battle and peace.
This name
WilfordRefers to a ford located near a willow tree or a place associated with the name Wigfrith.
also spelled
Wylford
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
Kent Archives, Archdeaconry Court of Canterbury Wills, 1620
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
lionCourage, strength and royalty
chevronProtection, and faithful service completed
lionCourage, strength and royalty
