A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Banister family of England.
Reg. 8342 · English, A–C
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
cupFaith, office, and a trust discharged
ringFidelity, and a promise kept
fleur de lisPurity, light, and the sixth son
Colours
Silver (Argent)Means: Peace and sincerity
Black (Sable)Means: Constancy
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. two buckets suspended by an annulet saltireways sa. betw. three fleurs-de-lis gu”
Englandc. 1620
Where the Banister Arms Were Recorded
York
Map of England showing where the Banister arms are recorded
The Banister 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 Banister 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 Banister Family in England
The surname Banister originates from the medieval period in England and is classified as an occupational name. It is derived from the Old French word "banastre," which referred to a basket maker or a person who carried a woven basket. By the time members of the family were documented in York during the early 17th century, the name had already been established in northern England for several generations. These early settlers in York were part of a growing urban population that relied on trade and skilled craftsmanship to support the city's economy. As the family moved through the region, they became integrated into the local social fabric, eventually spreading across various counties as they pursued new opportunities in agriculture and commerce.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
balneator
A Latin term referring to a bath keeper or bath attendant.
This name
BanisterAn occupational surname for someone who managed or worked at a public bathhouse.
also spelled
Banester
Banistre
Related arms
Banastervariant spelling
Banestervariant spelling
Documented Sources
Sir Bernard Burke, The General Armory of England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales, London: Harrison & Sons, 1884
Reaney, P.H., A Dictionary of English Surnames, 1958
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.
cupFaith, office, and a trust discharged
ringFidelity, and a promise kept
fleur de lisPurity, light, and the sixth son
cupFaith, office, and a trust discharged
ringFidelity, and a promise kept
fleur de lisPurity, light, and the sixth son
