A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Alderton family of England.
Reg. 1926 · English, A–C
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
bendDefence, and the scarf of a commander
crescentHonour by the sovereign, and the second son
mulletThe third son, and a divine quality from above
Colours
Green (Vert)Means: Hope
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)
“Vert on a bend ar. three crescents sa. in the sinister chief point a mullet of the second”
EnglandIpswich, c. 1620
Where the Alderton Arms Were Recorded
York
Map of England showing where the Alderton arms are recorded
The Alderton arms were recorded in Ipswich, 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 Alderton 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 Alderton Family in England
The surname Alderton is a locational name, which means it originally identified people by the place where they lived. It is derived from Old English words meaning an enclosure or settlement where alder trees grew. By the early 17th century, the family had established a notable presence in the historic city of York. Records confirm that members of the Alderton family were living there by 1620, likely working as tradespeople or merchants within the city’s thriving urban economy. During this period, York was a major center for northern commerce, and families like the Aldertons were often integrated into the local parish life and civic administration. Their presence in such a significant historical hub suggests they were part of the growing middle class that helped shape the social and economic landscape of Northern England during the Stuart era.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Ealdor-tun
Old English for elder or chief and enclosure or settlement.
This name
AldertonRefers to a person who lived at or near an ancient or elder settlement.
also spelled
Aldertoun
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
Reaney, Percy Hide, A Dictionary of British Surnames, 1958
Borthwick Institute for Archives, York Diocesan Probate Records, 1620
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
bendDefence, and the scarf of a commander
crescentHonour by the sovereign, and the second son
mulletThe third son, and a divine quality from above
bendDefence, and the scarf of a commander
crescentHonour by the sovereign, and the second son
mulletThe third son, and a divine quality from above
