Map of England showing where the Woodgate arms are recorded
The Woodgate 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 Woodgate 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 Woodgate Family in England
The surname Woodgate is a locative name, meaning it was originally given to people who lived near a specific landmark. In this case, the name refers to someone who resided by a gate leading into a forest or a wooded area. By the early 17th century, the family was well-established in the county of Kent, where they lived as yeoman farmers and landowners. These early members of the family were deeply connected to the rural landscape of the English countryside. Because the name describes a physical location, it likely emerged independently in several different places where families lived near forest entrances. Over time, the name became a permanent family identifier that passed down through generations of Kentish residents.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Wudu and Geat
Old English for wood or forest and a gate or passage.
This name
WoodgateA topographic name for someone who lived near a gate leading into a forest.
also spelled
Woodgait
Wodgait
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, Quarter Sessions Records, Q/S/P (1600–1650)
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
squirrelPatience and foresight in gathering
chevronProtection, and faithful service completed
squirrelPatience and foresight in gathering
