Map of England showing where the Woodring arms are recorded
The Woodring arms were recorded in England, c. 1620.
Arms such as these were typically recorded in York.
Yorkshire is the largest of the English counties, and it held more gentry families than any other. Land there was split among a great many households rather than a few, so a great many of them carried 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 Woodring 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 England.
Origin & History of the Woodring Family in England
The Woodring family name finds its roots in the Germanic regions of Europe, where it originally functioned as a descriptive surname. The name is derived from the Old High German words for wood and ring, which likely referred to someone who lived near a circular forest or a fenced woodland area. By the early 17th century, members of the family had established a presence in the historic city of York. These early settlers were part of a period of significant migration and social change in England. As they integrated into the local community, the family name evolved in spelling and pronunciation to suit the English language. This transition reflects the broader movement of families across borders during the 1600s as they sought new opportunities and stability in changing times.
Woodring Meaning & Related Branches
Root word
Wudering
Old English for a dweller near a wooded area or clearing.
This name
WoodringA habitational surname denoting someone who lived near a forest or wooded meadow.
also spelled
Widdrington
Woderington
Documented Sources
Sir Bernard Burke, The General Armory of England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales, London: Harrison & Sons, 1884
Bahlow, Hans, Deutsches Namenlexikon, 1967
National Archives (UK), State Papers Domestic: James I, 1620
York City Archives, York House Books, 1620
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bendDefence, and the scarf of a commander
bendDefence, and the scarf of a commander
