A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Beston family of England.
Reg. 4889 · 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
Red (Gules)Means: Military strength
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)
“Gu on a bend ar. three crosses formée sa”
Englandc. 1620
Where the Beston Arms Were Recorded
York
Map of England showing where the Beston arms are recorded
The Beston 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 Beston 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 Beston Family in England
The surname Beston is rooted in the geography of medieval England, likely originating as a locative name for families living in or near a specific settlement. By the early 17th century, records confirm that members of the Beston family were established in the historic city of York. During this period, York was a bustling center of trade and religion, serving as a vital hub in Northern England. Families living there often participated in the local guild systems or contributed to the city's long-standing administrative traditions. Because the name is tied to specific locations, it suggests that early ancestors were likely landowners or tenant farmers who took the name of their home village to distinguish themselves from others. Over time, as these individuals moved into urban centers like York, the name remained a permanent link to their ancestral origins in the English countryside.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Beostun
Old English elements meaning settlement or farmstead belonging to Beo.
This name
BestonDerived from a locational surname referring to a specific farmstead or village settlement.
also spelled
Bestun
Bestoun
Related arms
Beistonvariant spelling
Documented Sources
Sir Bernard Burke, The General Armory of England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales, London: Harrison & Sons, 1884
Bardsley, Charles Wareing, A Dictionary of English and Welsh Surnames, 1901
Reaney, Percy Hide, A Dictionary of British Surnames, 1958
Borthwick Institute for Archives, York Diocesan Probate Records, 1620
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
