A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Bolter family of England.
Reg. 4381 · English, A–C
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
bendDefence, and the scarf of a commander
arrowReadiness for battle, and affliction endured
Colours
Green (Vert)Means: Hope
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)
“Vert a bend betw. two bird bolts bendways or, points downwards”
Englandc. 1620
Where the Bolter Arms Were Recorded
York
Map of England showing where the Bolter arms are recorded
The Bolter 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 Bolter 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 Bolter Family in England
The surname Bolter is an occupational name that likely emerged in medieval England to describe a person who worked with a bolter, which was a specialized sieve used to sift flour. By the early 17th century, the family had established a notable presence in the historic city of York. Records confirm that members of the Bolter family were living in this region by 1620, a time when York was a bustling center of trade and religious activity. As citizens of such a prominent northern city, these early family members were likely integrated into the local economy, perhaps continuing the trade associated with their name or branching into the various crafts and merchant guilds that defined York’s social structure during the Stuart period. Their presence in the city archives suggests they were settled members of the community who contributed to the long history of this ancient English town.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
bolt
Old English word for a heavy iron pin or a crossbow arrow.
This name
BolterAn occupational surname for a maker of bolts, arrows, or a sieve operator.
also spelled
Boltor
Boltre
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, P.H. and Wilson, R.M., A Dictionary of English Surnames, 1991
York City Archives, York City Chamberlains' Accounts, 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
arrowReadiness for battle, and affliction endured
bendDefence, and the scarf of a commander
arrowReadiness for battle, and affliction endured
