A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Avison family of England.
Reg. 4910 · English, A–C
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
wheatsheafPlenty, and the harvest of one's own labour
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. three wheat sheaves or”
Englandc. 1620
Where the Avison Arms Were Recorded
York
Map of England showing where the Avison arms are recorded
The Avison 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 Avison 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 Avison Family in England
The surname Avison is a patronymic name, which means it originated as a way to identify a person as the son of someone named Avis. The name Avis itself comes from the Old French and Germanic roots that were popular in England during the Middle Ages. By the year 1620, records confirm that members of the Avison family were well-established residents of York. During this period, York was a bustling northern center for trade, religion, and administration. Families like the Avisons were often part of the growing class of merchants or skilled tradespeople who helped the city thrive. Because the name was tied to a personal given name rather than a specific location, it likely appeared independently in different parts of Northern England as the practice of using hereditary surnames became common.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Avice
Derived from the Germanic name Avisa meaning refuge or battle strength.
This name
AvisonA patronymic surname meaning son of Avice, a name introduced to England by the Normans.
also spelled
Avyson
Avysson
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
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.
wheatsheafPlenty, and the harvest of one's own labour
wheatsheafPlenty, and the harvest of one's own labour
