A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Austen family of England.
Reg. 5420 · English, A–C
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
chevronProtection, and faithful service completed
martletA younger son, who must win his own land
Colours
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)
“Az. a chev. betw. three birds or”
KentTenterden · Kent, c. 1620
Where the Austen Arms Were Recorded
Kent
Map of England showing where the Austen arms are recorded
The Austen arms were recorded in Kent, c. 1620.
Kent sits between London and the short crossing to Europe, and the trade passing through made it wealthy. Merchant families bought land with that money, and it was landowners who took coats of 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 Austen 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 Kent.
Origin & History of the Austen Family in England
The surname Austen is a variant of the name Augustine, which traces its roots back to the Latin word *augustus*, meaning venerable or majestic. During the Middle Ages, the name became popular throughout England due to the influence of Saint Augustine of Canterbury. By the early 17th century, the family had established a firm presence in the county of Kent. Records from 1620 confirm that members of the Austen family were active in this region, where they were often involved in local agriculture and trade. As the name spread through parish registers and legal documents, it evolved from its formal origins into the familiar spelling used today. This transition reflects the common practice of shortening and simplifying names as families settled into specific communities across the English countryside.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Augustinus
Derived from the Latin word augustus meaning venerable or majestic.
This name
AustenA medieval diminutive form of Augustine, signifying a person of noble or exalted character.
also spelled
Austin
Austyn
Astin
Related arms
Austynsame arms
Austinvariant spelling
Curteisrecorded with Austen, same area
Gibsonrecorded with Austen, 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
Cottle, Basil, The Penguin Dictionary of Surnames, 1967
The National Archives, Prerogative Court of Canterbury and related Probate Jurisdictions: Will Registers, 1620
Kent History and Library Centre, Archdeaconry Court of Canterbury: 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.
chevronProtection, and faithful service completed
martletA younger son, who must win his own land
chevronProtection, and faithful service completed
martletA younger son, who must win his own land
