Heraldic Crest
Explanation of Arms of Origin of Name
For the Family of Allitt of Wales
Please note the original document from which this came has been lost to us if you
know who originated this work please contact us at allittfamilyreunion2006@exemail.com.au
Origin of Name:
Also sometimes styled as Aylett the origin of the family name of Allitt was Wales, and as with all such names it is not possible to even hazard an opinion as to the period o time during which the ancestors of the bearers of the name may have been in Wales. P.H. Reaney, considered the most authoritative writer on British surnames and their origins in his “Dictionary of British Surnames” counters this question with another, “ For what period of time would Wales have occupied her present position”? The origin of the name was first noted and recorded on “County of Essex, England, not in Wales. We hasten to explain however, that this date of recording has no bearing whatsoever on the period of time of the ancestors of this bearer of the origin of the name being Wales. It must always be remembered when dealing with the dates of recording of original Welsh names within or outside Wales that the Welsh formed the last bastion of resistance to a complete Norman conquest of Britain and even their capitulation of the Normans was achieved more by treaty and concession than by force of arms. Consequently many Welsh names within and outside Wales were not recorded until centuries after the remainder of Britain had been suitably recorded and entolled.
It should also be mentioned in explanation that just as the Welsh successfully resisted the Norman occupation of their country; in earlier centuries they were able to repel attempts to occupy Wales, first by the Roman forces and later by the plundering raids of Saxons, more often described as Danes, Vikings or Norseman (Norse) than Saxons. There was, however, some successful infiltration by the Norsemen, more by stealth than by force. Therefore there are some names, now accepted as Welsh because of such a long association with Wales, which are in fact of ancient Saxon origin.
It is pointed out that the above dates of recording of Welsh names noted in English records, to all practical purposes commencing with the “Doomsday Book” commonly termed as “William the Conqueror’s Census” and compiled 1066 to 1086. The Welsh, long prior to the Norman Invasion, kept records, and conquest of Britain to a large extent did record only the most prominent. It would appear probable, however because the first recording of the origin of the name Allitt within Wales was noted as Merioneth ("The County of MERIONETH is 108 Miles in Circumference, contains about 500,000 Acres, & divided into 6 Hundreds; in the North are 3 Market Towns, but none of them nor any other Town in this County, are represented in Parliament; has 37 Parishes & about 2590 Houses. The Air is very sharp, the County being full of Mountains, & barren, so extraordinary steep, that Persons may discourse from ye Top of one Mountain and be heard by those that stand on ye other. Here are great Flocks of Sheep, & Goats, Herds of Cattle, Deer, Fowl, Fish of all sorts, chiefly Herring in their Season." [Emanuel Bowen, Britannia Depicta, 1720)
That the ancestors of the bearers of the name would have been followers of “Marchudd” Lord of Abergelleu, generally considered founder of the V111 notable tribes of North Wales and the Royal House of Tudor. English records date this name to the early eleventh century, but Welsh records state the family in this place from the sixth century.
Explanation of the Arms
White: In heraldry, the colour white, when borne as a “field colour” or main charge of arms, is significant of peace and sincerity. It is pointed out by Guillim, considered the most authoritave of the ancient heraldic writers however, that the term “Peace” is not intended to portray one prepared to accept peace at any price; but denotes a ‘bearer of arms’ ready to devote those efforts to bring about a just and equitable peace, a peace which would endure because it would be such a peace.
Gold: One of the two metals of Amory, is significant of Generosity and, according to Sir John Ferne, denotes ‘ Elevation of Mind’. It is again pointed out by Guillim, however, that ‘Generosity’ does not indicate one prone to the masses distribution of his worldly possessions, misguidedly or otherwise; but denotes one considered by his Sovereign to be of a magnanimity, which would display both true fortitude and true Christian charity in victory.
Azure (blue): Is symbolic of Loyal and Truth. It was the colour devoted and ascribed to the Virgin by the Roman Church.
Fesse (centre division of the shield); Is representative of the Military belt (girdle of honour) and was granted as a recognition of active and notable martial ser vice.
Embattled (or ‘Crenelee’): The ‘Embattled line of par titian was granted to one who whilst in command did capture by force of arms a castle, town or fortress. This bearing was taken from the Mural Crown, as an ancient Roman emblem, usually presented of Gold and always adorned with battlements, granted to he who was first through the breach in the walls of a besieged town or fortress.
The Unicorn: Is one of the heraldic fabulous beasts. Some writers believe the rhinoceros was changed by tradition into this horned horse, while others have thought the narwhale gave rise to the idea. The old writers relate that the unicorn was famous for its virtue, courage and strength and that its horn was supposed to be the most powerful antidote against poisons. It is much used in heraldry and signifies ‘Extreme Courage’.
Note: It should be pointed out in reference to the ‘Crest’ of these arms being charged with the same symbol as is borne within the ‘Shield’ that such amorial bearing are of great antiquity. As a general rule they date to a period when colours and simple portrayals were represented on the helmet, purely as identification in battel. At the time of the Crusades to the Holy Land came the advent of coat of armour and the symbolical significance of heraldic colours and symbols, at first of comparatively simple design and composition, but gaining complexity with the passing of centuries. In ancient times many recipients of amorial bearings merely charged their shields with the symbol already used on their helmets. Consequently the representing of the same charge of arms on crest and shield usually identifies the amorial bearing as being of great antiquity. In further reference to the simple composition of these amorial bearings, it should be explained that these arms have retained their original form only because subsequent bearers of the arms have wished they remained in their original composition, without change or augmentation.