A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Beckton family of England.
Reg. 4189 · English, A–C
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
sickleThe harvest, and the reaping of what was sown
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 spade irons or”
Englandc. 1620
Where the Beckton Arms Were Recorded
York
Map of England showing where the Beckton arms are recorded
The Beckton 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 Beckton 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 Beckton Family in England
The family name Beckton is rooted in the geography of Northern England, specifically within the historic landscape of Yorkshire. The name is locative, meaning it was likely adopted by individuals who lived near a specific stream or brook, as the Old English word "beck" refers to a small river or creek. By the year 1620, records confirm that families bearing this name were well-established in the city of York. During this period, York was a bustling center of trade and religious life, and families like the Becktons were often involved in the local craft guilds or agricultural commerce that defined the region. As these early ancestors navigated life in a growing urban center, they helped shape the local community through their work and daily interactions. Over time, the name evolved from a simple description of where a person lived into a permanent family identity that was passed down through generations.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Becca
Old English personal name derived from the word for a stream.
This name
BecktonRefers to a settlement or farmstead located near a stream or brook.
also spelled
Becton
Bekton
Bektonn
Related arms
Bectonvariant spelling
Documented Sources
Sir Bernard Burke, The General Armory of England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales, London: Harrison & Sons, 1884
Ekwall, Eilert, The Concise Oxford Dictionary of English Place-names, 1960
Reaney, P.H., A Dictionary of British Surnames, 1958
Borthwick Institute for Archives, York Diocesan Probate Records
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sickleThe harvest, and the reaping of what was sown
sickleThe harvest, and the reaping of what was sown
