A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Acott family of England.
Reg. 1595 · English, A–C
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
cross symbolChristian faith and service
roundelA coin, and one who has been to the crusades
Colours
Silver (Argent)Means: Peace and sincerity
Blue (Azure)Means: Loyalty and truth
Gold (Or)Means: Generosity
Historical info
Source
Sir Bernard Burke, The General Armory of England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales, London: Harrison & Sons, 1884
Blazon (the actual original written record)
“Ar. on a cross quarterly pierced az. twenty bezants placed by fives in saltire”
Englandc. 1620
Where the Acott Arms Were Recorded
York
Map of England showing where the Acott arms are recorded
The Acott arms were recorded in England, c. 1620.
Arms such as these were typically recorded in York.
Yorkshire is the largest of the English counties, and it held more gentry families than any other. Land there was split among a great many households rather than a few, so a great many of them carried arms.
This is where the arms were entered in the register. Families often moved to other parts of the country, so the same name can turn up in more than one region.
The body that granted and recorded arms in England in this period.
James VI and I
Sovereign of the period
James VI and I
1603–1625
Reigning in England when the Acott arms are first recorded.
How Arms Worked in England
English heraldry allowed arms to be shared by all legitimate descendants of the original owner. These symbols were treated as personal property that moved through the generations to all children. While the eldest son kept the original design, other family members could use the same shield without needing to change it or register their own unique versions.
Granting authority
The College of Arms in London has regulated the use of coats of arms throughout England and Wales since 1484.
How they got arms
Families typically obtained their coats of arms through a formal grant from the Crown or by proving their ancient right to them.
Where arms were recorded
All official coats of arms are recorded in the registers kept at the College of Arms, which date back to the fifteenth century.
The family's standing
Recorded among the armigerous families of England.
Origin & History of the Acott Family in England
The family name Acott is rooted in the historic city of York, where records confirm members of the family were established by the year 1620. During this period, York was a bustling center of trade and religious activity, and families like the Acotts were often integrated into the local parish life and the guild systems that defined the city’s economy. The name itself likely evolved from a locative origin, potentially referring to a specific piece of land or a small settlement known as an "ac-cot," which translates to an oak cottage. As the family grew, they became part of the intricate social fabric of Northern England, living through a time of significant transition as the country moved toward the Civil War. By settling in such a prominent urban hub, the early Acotts were positioned at the intersection of regional commerce and local governance, leaving behind traces in parish registers that document their baptisms, marriages, and daily contributions to the community.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Akkr and Cot
Old Norse for field and Old English for cottage or shelter.
This name
AcottA topographic name for someone who lived in a cottage situated near a field or cultivated land.
also spelled
Acotts
Acott
Documented Sources
Sir Bernard Burke, The General Armory of England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales, London: Harrison & Sons, 1884
Bardsley, Charles Wareing, A Dictionary of English and Welsh Surnames, 1901
York City Archives, York Parish Registers, 1620
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
cross symbolChristian faith and service
roundelA coin, and one who has been to the crusades
cross symbolChristian faith and service
roundelA coin, and one who has been to the crusades
