A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Astbury family of England.
Reg. 6579 · English, A–C
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
fessThe military belt, and readiness to serve
martletA younger son, who must win his own land
Colours
Red (Gules)Means: Military strength
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)
“Gu. a fesse betw. three martlets ar”
ChesterAstbury · Chester, c. 1620
Where the Astbury Arms Were Recorded
Chester
Map of England showing where the Astbury arms are recorded
The Astbury arms were recorded in Chester, c. 1620.
Cheshire was governed apart from the rest of England for much of its history, with its own courts and its own gentry. That separateness bred a strong local landed class, and landed families 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 Astbury 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 Chester.
Origin & History of the Astbury Family in England
The surname Astbury is a locative name, meaning it originated from a specific place rather than a trade or a personal characteristic. It is derived from the village of Astbury in Cheshire, England, which is situated near the town of Congleton. The name itself comes from the Old English words "east" and "burh," which together translate to "eastern fortified place" or "east town." By the early 17th century, members of the family had established a notable presence in the nearby city of Chester. During this period, Chester served as a vital regional hub for trade and administration, and families living there often held roles in local commerce or civic life. As the family moved away from their ancestral village and into the city, they carried the name of their place of origin with them, helping to preserve the connection to their Cheshire roots for generations to come.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
East burh
Old English for eastern fortified place or town.
This name
AstburyRefers to a person who lived at or near an eastern fortified settlement.
also spelled
Astbery
Documented Sources
Sir Bernard Burke, The General Armory of England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales, London: Harrison & Sons, 1884
Ekwall, Eilert. The Concise Oxford Dictionary of English Place-names. 1960
Reaney, Percy Hide. A Dictionary of British Surnames. 1958
Cheshire Archives and Local Studies, Bishop’s Transcripts of the Diocese of Chester
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
fessThe military belt, and readiness to serve
martletA younger son, who must win his own land
fessThe military belt, and readiness to serve
martletA younger son, who must win his own land
