A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Austyn family of England.
Reg. 7092 · 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
Silver (Argent)Means: Peace and sincerity
Red (Gules)Means: Military strength
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 fesse betw. six martlets gu”
CornwallCornwall, c. 1620
Where the Austyn Arms Were Recorded
Cornwall
Map of England showing where the Austyn arms are recorded
The Austyn arms were recorded in Cornwall, c. 1620.
Cornwall was a county apart, with its own language and its own tight-knit gentry. Tin and the sea made money there, and families who made it bought land, which is what brought arms with it.
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 Austyn 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 Cornwall.
Origin & History of the Austyn Family in England
The family name Austyn traces its roots back to the Latin name Augustinus, which means venerable or majestic. By the early seventeenth century, the name had become well-established in the rugged landscape of Cornwall. Records confirm that members of the family were living in this southwestern region of England by 1620. During this era, many families in Cornwall were deeply connected to the local mining industry, maritime trade, or small-scale agriculture. Life in Cornwall at that time was defined by strong community ties and a distinct regional identity that set the local population apart from the rest of the country. As the Austyn family settled into these coastal parishes, they contributed to the local history of the region through their daily work and their participation in parish life.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Augustinus
Derived from the Latin word for venerable or majestic.
This name
AustynA medieval English variant of Augustine, signifying a person who is venerable or exalted.
also spelled
Austin
Austen
Astyn
Related arms
Austensame arms
Austinvariant spelling
Documented Sources
Sir Bernard Burke, The General Armory of England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales, London: Harrison & Sons, 1884
Padel, O.J., A Popular Dictionary of Cornish Place-Names, 1988
Cornwall Archives, Parish Registers of Cornwall, 1600–1650
Reaney, P.H., A Dictionary of British Surnames, 1958
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
