A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Allport family of England.
Reg. 6651 · English, A–C
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
bearStrength, cunning and protection of kin
Colours
Silver (Argent)Means: Peace and sincerity
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)
“and beaked gu., quartering ar. three bears passant ppr. for BEARCROFT. Crest—A plover wings expanded or, beaked and legged gu. in its beak an ear of wheat gold. Motto—Festina lente.”
Englandc. 1620
Where the Allport Arms Were Recorded
York
Map of England showing where the Allport arms are recorded
The Allport 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 Allport 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 Allport Family in England
The surname Allport is a locative name, meaning it originated from a specific place rather than a trade or a personal characteristic. It is derived from the Old English words "ald," meaning old, and "port," which referred to a town, a market, or a gate. This suggests that the earliest members of the family likely lived near an ancient gateway or a long-established market town. By the year 1620, historical records confirm that the Allport family had established a notable presence in the city of York. During this period, families in York were often deeply involved in the city’s vibrant trade guilds and local governance. As the name spread from its geographic roots, it became a marker of families who were likely connected to the bustling commerce and urban life of northern English centers.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Aldport
Old harbor or landing place on a river.
This name
AllportRefers to someone who lived near an ancient port or a harbor belonging to an elder.
also spelled
Allpourt
Alpourt
Related arms
Alportrecorded with Allport, same area
Documented Sources
Sir Bernard Burke, The General Armory of England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales, London: Harrison & Sons, 1884
Reaney, P.H. and Wilson, R.M., A Dictionary of English Surnames, 1991
Bardsley, Charles Wareing, A Dictionary of English and Welsh Surnames, 1901
The National Archives, Probate records of the Prerogative Court of Canterbury, 1620
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bearStrength, cunning and protection of kin
bearStrength, cunning and protection of kin
