A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Belliston family of England.
Reg. 6036 · English, A–C
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
bendDefence, and the scarf of a commander
cross symbolChristian faith and service
Colours
Gold (Or)Means: Generosity
Red (Gules)Means: Military strength
Silver (Argent)Means: Peace and sincerity
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, on a bend gu. three crosses moline ar”
CheshireCheshire, c. 1620
Where the Belliston Arms Were Recorded
Cheshire
Map of England showing where the Belliston arms are recorded
The Belliston arms were recorded in Cheshire, c. 1620.
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 Belliston 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 Cheshire.
Origin & History of the Belliston Family in England
The surname Belliston is deeply rooted in the historical landscape of Cheshire, England, where records confirm the family’s presence as early as 1620. The name itself is likely locative, meaning it was originally derived from a specific place or settlement in the region. During the seventeenth century, families in Cheshire were often tied to the land through agriculture or local trades, and the name would have served as a way to identify individuals based on their home parish or local geography. As the family grew, members likely moved between the small villages and market towns that defined the Cheshire countryside. This period was a time of significant social change in England, and the Belliston name persisted through generations by maintaining strong ties to their local community and regional identity.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Bellus and Tun
Beautiful or fair combined with an enclosure, village, or homestead.
This name
BellistonRefers to a person who lived at a beautiful or pleasant settlement or farmstead.
also spelled
Belleston
Belyston
Documented Sources
Sir Bernard Burke, The General Armory of England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales, London: Harrison & Sons, 1884
Cheshire Archives and Local Studies, Bishop’s Transcripts for the Diocese of Chester, 1620
Cottle, Basil, The Penguin Dictionary of Surnames, 1967
Reaney, Percy Hide, A Dictionary of British Surnames, 1958
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
bendDefence, and the scarf of a commander
cross symbolChristian faith and service
bendDefence, and the scarf of a commander
cross symbolChristian faith and service
