A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Barrington family lines. Documented in 2 countries.
Reg. 5157 · English, A–C
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
cross symbolChristian faith and service
chiefAuthority, wisdom and dominion
lionCourage, strength and royalty
Colours
Gold (Or)Means: Generosity
Purple (Purpure)Means: Royal majesty
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)
“Or, a cross crosslet purp. on a chief of the second a lion pass. guard. of the first”
Englandc. 1620
Where the Barrington Arms Were Recorded
York
Map of England showing where the Barrington arms are recorded
The Barrington 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 Barrington 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 Barrington Family in England
The Barrington name is deeply rooted in the landscape of medieval England, originating as a locational surname for families who lived in places named Barrington in counties like Somerset, Gloucestershire, or Cambridgeshire. These early ancestors were typically landowners or tenants who took the name of their village to distinguish themselves in local records. By the time members of the family were documented in York in 1620, the name had already spread across the country through centuries of migration and trade. During this era, families often moved toward growing urban centers like York to pursue new economic opportunities in the wool trade or local governance. The presence of the Barrington name in northern England by the early seventeenth century reflects the broader movement of people who were establishing new roots in bustling regional hubs during a time of significant social change.
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
labelThe eldest son, during his father's life
Colours
Silver (Argent)Means: Peace and sincerity
Red (Gules)Means: Military strength
Blue (Azure)Means: Loyalty and truth
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. three chevronels gu. a label of as many points az”
Irelandc. 1645
Where the Barrington Arms Were Recorded
Dublin
Map of Ireland showing where the Barrington arms are recorded
The Barrington arms were recorded in Ireland, c. 1645.
Arms such as these were typically recorded in Dublin.
Dublin was the seat of government in Ireland and the place where grants were sought and recorded. Families with business at the castle or the courts settled nearby, and settling there put their arms on record.
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 Ireland in this period.
Charles I of England
Sovereign of the period
Charles I of England
1625–1649
Reigning in England when the Barrington arms are first recorded.
How Arms Worked in Ireland
The Ulster King of Arms granted coats of arms to individuals who proved their social standing and good character. These symbols were typically inherited by all legitimate descendants of the original holder. If a family branch wanted a unique look, they could apply for a specific change to their design through the office to ensure their identity remained distinct.
Granting authority
The Ulster King of Arms acted as the official body that regulated and issued all coats of arms throughout Ireland.
How they got arms
Families obtained their arms through formal grants issued by the office after proving their eligibility and paying the required fees.
Where arms were recorded
All official grants were recorded in the registers held by the Ulster King of Arms starting from the year 1552.
The family's standing
Recorded among the armigerous families of Ireland.
Origin & History of the Barrington Family in Ireland
The Barrington family established a significant presence in Ireland by the mid-seventeenth century, with records confirming their residence in Dublin as early as 1645. While the name itself originated in England, those who settled in Ireland quickly integrated into the administrative and social fabric of the capital city. During this period, the family became involved in the complex political and economic shifts that defined Irish life under the influence of the English Crown. By settling in Dublin, they positioned themselves within a hub of trade and governance, which allowed them to expand their influence across the region over the following generations. Their early history in Ireland is marked by this transition from newcomers to established residents who played a role in the local development of the city during a time of great national change.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Bara
Old English term for a fortified enclosure or settlement.
This name
BarringtonRefers to a person who lived near or within a fortified town or settlement.
also spelled
Barington
Barringten
Barrenton
Related arms
Barrenktonvariant spelling
Baryntonvariant spelling
Alexanderrecorded with Barrington, same area
Pigottrecorded with Barrington, same area
Documented Sources
Sir Bernard Burke, The General Armory of England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales, London: Harrison & Sons, 1884
Reaney, P.H., A Dictionary of British Surnames, 1958
Bardsley, Charles Wareing, A Dictionary of English and Welsh Surnames, 1901
The National Archives, Yorkshire Parish Registers, 1620
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
cross symbolChristian faith and service
chiefAuthority, wisdom and dominion
lionCourage, strength and royalty
cross symbolChristian faith and service
chiefAuthority, wisdom and dominion
lionCourage, strength and royalty
labelThe eldest son, during his father's life
