Heraldic Designs of Allred Coat of Arms

An Allred Coat of Arms has been used by members of the Allred family for hundreds of years. Family members have used and displayed different heraldic designs of the Allred arms due to family traditions and varying descriptions of the arms in heraldic publications. For example, two well-known and respected heraldic publications described the Allred (Alred, Aldred or Alured) arms and crest as follows:

General Armory Two, edited and augmented by Cecil R. Humphery-Smith, 1974. This book contains Alfred Morant's additions and corrections to the 1842 book General Armory of England, Scotland, Ireland, And Wales, by Sir Bernard Burke, Ulster King of Arms, London, England. First Edition: 1842. General Armory Two, on page two, gives the following description of the Aldred arms: "Aldred. Gu. a chev. engr. betw. 3 griffin's heads erased or. Cady." This statement translates as: "A shield of red (Gu.) containing a chevron design (chev.) with a line of partition (engr.) between 3 yellow or gold (or.) griffin's heads that appear jagged and severed (erased) from their bodies." The word "Cady" refers to "A manuscript [entitled] 'Alphabet of Arms' apparently compiled by William Cady, a clerk in the Herald Office, c.1630. The chief part of the work seems temp Henry VIII & the additions made by Cady. The volume also contains copies of Grants of Arms & it is in the possession of A.W.M." Also, General Armory Two, on page three, gives the following description of the Alured arms: "Alured (Hull, co. York). Gu. a chev. engr. betw. 3 griffins' heads erased arg." This statement translates as: "A shield of red (Gu.) containing a chevron design (chev.) with a line of partition (engr.) between 3 white or silver (arg.) griffin's heads that appear jagged and severed (erased) from their bodies."

Fairbairn's Book of Crests of the Families of Great Britain and Ireland, by James Fairbairn, and later revised by Lawrence Butters), London, England. First Edition: 1859; Used Edition: Reprint of the Fourth Edition Revised and Enlarged [containing] Two Volumes in One, Vol. 1, 1968. Fairbairn's book, on page eight, gives the following description of the Aldred crest: "Aldred, an arm in armour embowed, holding a cross crosslet fitched in pale. [This crest is pictured in the book as number] 198.5." Also, Fairbairn's book, on page eleven, gives the following description of the Alred crest: "Alred, Holderness, Yorks, a griffin's head ppr." [This crest is pictured in the book as number] 66.1."

New Allred Coat of Arms, 2016

In early 2016, related Brough and Allred family members asked the Brough Family Organization (BFO) to produce a new Allred Coat of Arms. In May 2016, the BFO commissioned Julie Rebecca Thorup, a graphic-artist living in Utah, to create a professional looking Allred Coat of Arms.

Using well-known Allred-related documents and heraldic symbols, Julie Thorup incorporated historic Allred family art and designs into her drawing, which resulted in an Allred Coat of Arms that was true to its heraldic past while presenting a new and vibrant display of Allred family heritage and tradition.

The BFO has now made Julie Thorup’s 2016 artistic drawing of the Allred Coat of Arms freely available to all Allred family members who wish to use it.

Inquiries about the Allred Ancestry Research Project can be sent by email to:

R. Clayton Brough, BFO Genealogist; Email: rcb@broughfamily.org