A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Birton family of England.
Reg. 1225 · English, A–C
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
bendDefence, and the scarf of a commander
dropletsTears, and grief borne with patience
Colours
Gold (Or)Means: Generosity
Black (Sable)Means: Constancy
Blue (Azure)Means: Loyalty and truth
Red (Gules)Means: Military strength
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)
“Paly of six or and gu. a bend sa. gutté d'eau”
Englandc. 1620
Where the Birton Arms Were Recorded
York
Map of England showing where the Birton arms are recorded
The Birton 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 Birton 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 Birton Family in England
The family name Birton likely originated as a locational surname, which was a common practice in medieval England for identifying people based on the town or village where they lived. The name is derived from Old English roots that typically refer to a settlement near a fortified place or a farmstead. By the year 1620, records confirm that members of the Birton family were well-established in the historic city of York. During this period, York served as a vital northern hub for trade and administration, suggesting that the family was likely integrated into the local merchant or craft guilds that defined the city’s economy. Living in such a prominent urban center meant that the Birtons were part of a society transitioning through the late Renaissance, where they would have experienced the daily rhythms of a bustling cathedral city during the early seventeenth century.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Burh-tun
Old English terms for a fortified settlement or enclosure and a town.
This name
BirtonRefers to a person who lived near a fortified town or enclosure.
also spelled
Burton
Byrton
Berton
Related arms
Bertonvariant spelling
Burtonvariant spelling
Byrtonvariant 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
Hey, David, The Oxford Guide to Family History, 2002
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
dropletsTears, and grief borne with patience
bendDefence, and the scarf of a commander
dropletsTears, and grief borne with patience
