A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Afton family of England.
Reg. 5598 · English, A–C
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
chevronProtection, and faithful service completed
fleur de lisPurity, light, and the sixth son
Colours
Silver (Argent)Means: Peace and sincerity
Black (Sable)Means: Constancy
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. a chev. engr. betw. three fleurs-de-lis sa”
DevonshireDevonshire, c. 1620
Where the Afton Arms Were Recorded
Devonshire
Map of England showing where the Afton arms are recorded
The Afton arms were recorded in Devonshire, c. 1620.
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 Afton 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 Devonshire.
Origin & History of the Afton Family in England
The Afton family name is deeply rooted in the landscape of southwestern England, with documented records placing members of the family in the county of Devonshire by the year 1620. The name itself is topographical, meaning it likely originated from a person who lived near a specific river or stream. In Old English, the term "af" often related to water, suggesting that the earliest ancestors were identified by their proximity to a local waterway. As the family established themselves in the rural communities of Devonshire, they became part of the local agricultural and social fabric of the region. Over time, these early settlers helped shape the identity of their parishes through their work and community involvement. Their presence in the early seventeenth century marks a significant point in the family history, as it reflects the period when many families began to solidify their surnames within official parish registers.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Afton
Derived from the River Afton in Scotland meaning after the river.
This name
AftonA habitational name referring to someone who lived near the River Afton.
also spelled
Aftoun
Documented Sources
Sir Bernard Burke, The General Armory of England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales, London: Harrison & Sons, 1884
Hoskins, W. G., Devon, 1954
Reaney, P. H., A Dictionary of British Surnames, 1958
The National Archives, Parish registers of Devon, 1620
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
chevronProtection, and faithful service completed
fleur de lisPurity, light, and the sixth son
chevronProtection, and faithful service completed
fleur de lisPurity, light, and the sixth son
