Map of England showing where the Wolford arms are recorded
The Wolford 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 Wolford 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 Wolford Family in England
The surname Wolford is rooted in the landscape of medieval England, likely originating as a topographic name for someone who lived near a ford frequented by wolves. 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 Wolford family were settled in this region, which was a hub of agricultural and maritime activity at the time. During this period, families often took their names from the specific physical features of their local environment, such as a nearby river crossing or a wooded area. As the family grew in Kent, they became part of the local social fabric, contributing to the development of the rural communities that defined the English countryside before the era of mass migration to the American colonies.
Wolford Meaning & Related Branches
Root word
Wulf-ford
Old English words for wolf and a shallow river crossing.
This name
WolfordA topographical name for someone who lived near a river crossing frequented by wolves.
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, P.H., A Dictionary of British Surnames, 1958
Kent Archives, Archdeaconry Court of Canterbury Wills and Administrations, 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
