Hello Behindthefrogs,
I am David Middleton Edelen II from Alabama, my dad being from Maryland and our ancestor Richard Edelen came from Middlesex, England in 1664. His fathr and grandfather and them lived at Hatchend, Pinner Marsh, Harrow on the Hill, Middlesex, England.
Anyway, I have seen his Coat of arms from several relatves and it is just like the one under your name. So, are you an Edelen? Although I have seen one where it was just like that but with some sort of cross over it, but I can't remember just how it lay over it. I have also seen a supposedly very old Coat of Arms for Edelen which consisted of a silver shield with red ankor cross on it.
From what I have read the name was orginally FitzEdelin, then changed to Edlyn/Edlin. My immigrant ancestor Richard's grandmother, who was Prussian, wanted the name to sound and look more German so she changed her children's names to "Edelen". One of her sons was Phillip Edelen, some sort of big time preacher or something with a relief of him carved on a church wall somewhere over there. It was his son Richard which came to America in 1664 with a son and his wife, Elizabeth Banton, daughter of Lord Pannawell, whoever in the world that was.
It intrigues me that you have the same Coat of Arms an Edelen cousin of mine sent me saying that was the one our ancestor had. My Uncle and I chose for our own the older one with the Silver Shield with the red anchor cross on it. A guy told me that one was awarded the bearer for his services in the 1st crusade.
Are you kin to the FitzEdlin, Edlyn, Edlins, Edelens? Here in America over time some of our branches have become mispelled and they spell our name Edlen, Edelin, etc.. Richard Edelen who came over from Middlesex signed his name on the ship's log or what ever it was as Edelen, so that is the correct spelling now, at least of our line. Look forward to hearing fropm you.
Dave
Alabama