A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Baston family lines. Documented in 2 countries.
Reg. 8480 · French, A–C
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
chevronProtection, and faithful service completed
trefoilPerpetuity, and the Trinity
cinquefoilHope and joy
Colours
Gold (Or)Means: Generosity
Red (Gules)Means: Military strength
Green (Vert)Means: Hope
Historical info
Source
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Blazon (the actual original written record)
“D'or au chev. de gu., acc. en chef de deux trèfles de sin. et en p. d'une quintefeuille du même.”
BretagneBretagne, c. 1663
Where the Baston Arms Were Recorded
Bretagne
Map of France showing where the Baston arms are recorded
The Baston arms were recorded in Bretagne, c. 1663.
More families held coats of arms in Bretagne than anywhere else in France. The land was divided into many small estates rather than a few large ones, so far more households counted as gentry, and each needed a shield of its own to be told apart.
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 France in this period.
Louis XIV of France
Sovereign of the period
Louis XIV of France
1643–1715
Reigning in France when the Baston arms are first recorded.
How Arms Worked in France
In France, a coat of arms was a mark of honor that passed down through the male line to all legitimate descendants. Families often used the same shield without changes to show their shared heritage. If a branch wanted to stand out, they could add a small mark to their shield to show their specific place in the family tree.
Granting authority
The Juge d'armes de France acted as the official authority that regulated and verified coats of arms across the country.
How they got arms
Families typically inherited their arms from ancestors, though they could also receive them through royal grants or by proving their noble status.
Where arms were recorded
Coats of arms were officially recorded in the Armorial Général de France, which began its main collection in the year 1696.
The family's standing
Recorded among the armigerous families of Bretagne.
Origin & History of the Baston Family in France
The family name Baston has deep roots in the historical region of Bretagne, where records confirm members of the family were living as early as 1663. The name likely originated as a descriptive nickname, as the word "baston" in Old French referred to a staff or a club. In medieval society, such names were often given to individuals who were known for their physical strength or perhaps their role as guards who carried such weapons. By the mid-seventeenth century, families bearing this name were well-established in the rural landscapes of western France. They lived during a time when Bretagne maintained a distinct cultural identity separate from the rest of the kingdom. As the family grew, they became part of the local social fabric, contributing to the agricultural and community life that defined the Breton countryside for generations.
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
wingSwiftness, and protection under a raised wing
Colours
Silver (Argent)Means: Peace and sincerity
Black (Sable)Means: Constancy
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 bats' wings sa”
Englandc. 1620
Where the Baston Arms Were Recorded
York
Map of England showing where the Baston arms are recorded
The Baston 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 France when the Baston 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 Baston Family in England
The family name Baston has deep roots in the northern regions of England, particularly within the historic city of York. By the year 1620, records confirm that members of the Baston family were already established residents in this area. The name itself is likely topographic or locational in origin, often linked to individuals who lived near a specific landmark or a place known as a baston, which refers to a defensive barrier or a thick staff. During the seventeenth century, families in York were often involved in the city’s thriving trade guilds and local governance, which allowed them to become well-integrated into the social fabric of the region. As the family grew, they contributed to the local economy and the steady development of northern English society during a time of significant transition.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
bast
A pack saddle or a burden carried by a beast of burden.
This name
BastonAn occupational name for a maker of pack saddles or a carrier of goods.
also spelled
Bastone
Bastun
Related arms
Willemssimilar arms
Documented Sources
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Archives départementales d'Ille-et-Vilaine, Registres paroissiaux et d'état civil, 1663
Dauzat, Albert, Dictionnaire étymologique des noms de famille et prénoms de France, 1951
Morlet, Marie-Thérèse, Dictionnaire étymologique des noms de famille, 1991
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
trefoilPerpetuity, and the Trinity
cinquefoilHope and joy
chevronProtection, and faithful service completed
trefoilPerpetuity, and the Trinity
cinquefoilHope and joy
wingSwiftness, and protection under a raised wing
