A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Boylston family of England.
Reg. 4880 · English, A–C
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
cross symbolChristian faith and service
chiefAuthority, wisdom and dominion
roundelA coin, and one who has been to the crusades
Colours
Red (Gules)Means: Military strength
Gold (Or)Means: Generosity
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. six crosses crosslet fitchée ar., three, two, and one; on a chief or, three pellets”
Englandc. 1620
Where the Boylston Arms Were Recorded
York
Map of England showing where the Boylston arms are recorded
The Boylston 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 Boylston 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 Boylston Family in England
The Boylston family name is rooted in the history of northern England, with records confirming that early members were established in the city of York by 1620. The name itself is thought to be locational in origin, likely derived from a specific place or settlement where the family first resided. During the early seventeenth century, the Boylstons were part of a period of significant social change in England, as many families began to move away from their ancestral homes to seek new opportunities. While the name remained tied to its English origins, the family eventually became prominent in colonial America, particularly in Massachusetts, where they played a notable role in the development of early trade and education. By tracing their path from York to the New World, the family history reflects the broader movement of people who helped shape the foundations of early modern society.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Boel
An Old English or Old Norse personal name meaning bold or brave.
This name
BoylstonRefers to a settlement or farmstead belonging to a person named Boel.
also spelled
Boylestone
Boilston
Related arms
Bretewellsimilar arms
Documented Sources
Sir Bernard Burke, The General Armory of England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales, London: Harrison & Sons, 1884
Banks, Charles Edward, The Planters of the Commonwealth: A Study of the Emigrants and Emigrations in Colonial Times, 1930
Massachusetts Historical Society, The Boylston Family Papers, 1689–1850
York Minster Archives, Parish Registers of York, 1600–1650
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
cross symbolChristian faith and service
chiefAuthority, wisdom and dominion
roundelA coin, and one who has been to the crusades
cross symbolChristian faith and service
chiefAuthority, wisdom and dominion
roundelA coin, and one who has been to the crusades
