A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Batten family of England.
Reg. 4796 · English, A–C
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
chevronProtection, and faithful service completed
saltireResolution, and St Andrew's cross
anchorHope, and steadfastness in trouble
fleur de lisPurity, light, and the sixth son
Colours
Blue (Azure)Means: Loyalty and truth
Red (Gules)Means: Military strength
ErmineMeans: Dignity
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)
“Quarterly: 1st and 4th, az. a chev. erm betw. three anchors ppr.; 2nd and 3rd, gu. a saltire or, betw. four fleurs-de-lis of the second, quartering Drake and Ashe. Crvst—The trunk of an oak-tree couped at the top, issuing from towards the top two branches all ppr. The family also use a sea-lion erect holding in his paws an anchor all ppr”
DorsetUpcerne · Dorset, c. 1620
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Map of England showing where the Batten arms are recorded
The Batten arms were recorded in Dorset, c. 1620.
Dorset was quiet farming and grazing country along the south coast. Its gentry were middling rather than grand, but they held their manors for a very long time, and long holding is what puts a name in the records.
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 Batten 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 Dorset.
Origin & History of the Batten Family in England
The surname Batten is an ancient English name that likely originated as a nickname or a shortened version of the personal name Bartholomew. By the early 17th century, the family had established a strong presence in the county of Dorset, where they were deeply integrated into the local community. Records from 1620 confirm that members of the Batten family were active in this region during a time of significant social and economic change. Many families with this name were involved in agriculture and trade, which allowed them to build stable lives in the rural landscapes of southwestern England. Over time, the name spread from these coastal and inland areas as family members sought new opportunities, yet the roots of the name remain firmly connected to the history of the English countryside.
Batten Meaning & Related Branches
Root word
Bartholomew
Derived from the Aramaic name meaning son of Talmai or furrow.
This name
BattenA patronymic surname originating as a medieval diminutive form of the name Bartholomew.
also spelled
Battin
Batton
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, 1991
Dorset History Centre, Quarter Sessions Records, 1620
Cottle, Basil, The Penguin Dictionary of Surnames, 1967
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
saltireResolution, and St Andrew's cross
anchorHope, and steadfastness in trouble
fleur de lisPurity, light, and the sixth son
chevronProtection, and faithful service completed
saltireResolution, and St Andrew's cross
anchorHope, and steadfastness in trouble
fleur de lisPurity, light, and the sixth son
