Aldrich/Aldridge Coat-of-Arms

Various coats-of-arms have been used by various Aldrich armorial families in England. From very early times, these arms appeared in visitation pedigrees, on records of grants and confirmations by the College of Arms, in monumental inscriptions, and on seals. One used is "Ermine On A Chevron Engrailed Argent Between Three Griffins' Erased As Many Lozenges." Another belonging to the Aldridge family is "Vert, On A Fesse Or Between Three Garbs Of The Second, A Crown Enclosed by A Mound and a Bird Azure, Two Leaves In Saltire In The Crown of The First." The oldest Aldrich coat- of-arms is written in the ancient language which was created by heralds in the 12th century; with these arms: "Or, on a Fess vert a bull passant argent." (Reference Source: Burke's General Armory) This coat-of-arms is displayed as the fronts- piece.

While the manorial gentry as a class were considered armorial and entitled to bear coats-of-arms and did use them, the yeomanry (or copyhold farmers) as a class were not considered armigerous and did not make pretensions to coats-of- arms. The ancestors of George Aldrich are not clearly established as yeomen but assume that they were according to the available sources. However, information referring to the Boston Evening Transcript, Query No. 2480, 3 Feb., 1932 stated:

George Aldrich, born in Derbyshire, Eng. was the son of George Aldrich of London, Eng., tabloted in Cheam Church "Descendant of William Aldrich of Norfolk who married Mary, daughter of Isabella of France and Edward II of England.''

Isabella was a daughter of Philip IV of France and sister of Charles IV. George Aldrich came to New England in 1631. 1644 lived at Braintree. His will dated at Mendon, Mass., Nov. 2, 1682 and proved April 26, 1683.

We therefore conclude that most evidence available indicates George Aldrich was not of armorial descent; however, do keep in mind the above information and decide for yourself if you wish to display a coat-of-arms.

From: George Aldrich Genealogy, Service Press & Litho Co.,Cedar Rapids, Iowa, 1971

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Also see information at the following:

Aldridge Coat of Arms Documentation

http://www.tx3.com/~arledge/coatdoc.htm

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