The Doubtful arms of Staffordshire - Aderley

Continuing of Doubtful theme, the second entry in Glover's Visitations of Staffordshire under the Doubtful arms of Staffordshire is Raufe Aderley, of Coton:

Argent, on a bend Azure three lozenges Or, each charged with a pheon Gules.

References to Raufe Aderley (or Ralph Adderley) of Coton, alongside this specific coat of arms (Argent, on a bend Azure three lozenges Or, each charged with a pheon Gules), feature in several prominent historical and heraldic volumes:

The primary source for this exact entry is The Visitation of Staffordshire made by Robert Glover, Somerset Herald, in 1583, where he is recorded amongst the "Doubtful arms of Staffordshire". A detailed pedigree of his family and brothers (including John, Humfrey, and George) is recorded within the same text, tracing their line back to the Adderleys of Blackhagh (Blackwood/Blackhalgh). In this pedigree, Raulf is recorded as Raulf Adderley, of Cotton in the County of Stafford, Esq, Justice of the Peace; now living in anno 1583. He is married to Phelice, daughter of Henry Milwarde in Com. Derby; second wife.

The specific blazon is documented across historical texts detailing British gentry and their coats of arms:

The General Armory of England, Scotland, Ireland, and Wales by Sir Bernard Burke (1884): Under the entry for Adderley (Coton Hall, co. Stafford), the arms are explicitly catalogued. (Note: Some printed variations or transcriptions in the same text omit the Or and blazon the lozenges simply as "of the field", but the core design remains tied to Coton Hall).

Warwickshire Arms and Lineages by F.W. Kittermaster (1866): This text notes that the branch of the family expanding into Warwickshire (such as Sir Charles Adderley, Equerry to King Charles I) descended directly from “Ralph Adderley, of Coton, Co. Stafford, High Sheriff of the County (temp. Eliz.)”. It explicitly cites the original Heraldic Visitations and Dugdale's antiquarian records.

Collections for a History of Staffordshire (William Salt Archaeological Society): The genealogical files track the administrative presence of the family at Coton, identifying Ralph Adderley as an influential justice and landowner who initially purchased the Coton estate in 1558.

The Burke's General Armory entry in full with the additional entry for Adderley of Blakehagh (This coat confirmed by the Deputies of Camden, Clarenceux):

Adderley (originally of Blakehagh, co. Stafford, and subsequently of Weddington, co. Warwick, Coton, co. Stafford, and Hams Hall, co. Warwick, confirmed by the Deputies of Camden, Clarenceux, to HUMPHREY ADDERLEY, of Weddington, co. Warwick, son of HUMPHREY ADDERLEY, of the same, fourth son of THOMAS ADDERLEY, of Blakehagh, co. Stafford, and fourth in descent from HENRY ADDERLEY.) Argent, on a bend Azure three mascles of the field. Crest: On a chapeau Gules turned up Ermine a stork Argent.

Adderley (Coton Hall, co. Stafford). Ar. on a bend az. three lozenges of the field each charged with a pheon gu. Visit. of Stafford, 1583. (This differs from the actual Visitations entry in that the lozenges are "of the field" whereas in the Visitations they are Or).

Adderley of Blakehagh (This coat confirmed by the Deputies of Camden, Clarenceux.)