A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Boynton family of England.
Reg. 8288 · English, A–C
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
fessThe military belt, and readiness to serve
crescentHonour by the sovereign, and the second son
lionCourage, strength and royalty
Colours
Gold (Or)Means: Generosity
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)
“Or, a fesse betw. three crescents gu.; the fesse was formerly charged with a lion pass. or”
YorkBarmston · York, c. 1620
Where the Boynton Arms Were Recorded
York
Map of England showing where the Boynton arms are recorded
The Boynton arms were recorded in York, c. 1620.
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 Boynton 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 York.
Origin & History of the Boynton Family in England
The Boynton family name originates from the village of Boynton in the East Riding of Yorkshire, England. During the medieval period, families often took their surnames from the specific locations where they lived or held land. By the early 17th century, members of the Boynton family had established a significant presence in the city of York. This period was a time of great movement, and records indicate that these individuals were active participants in the civic and social life of the region. Their transition from rural landholders to city residents reflects the broader historical trend of families seeking new opportunities in growing urban centers during the reign of King James I. These early residents of York helped build the foundation for the family name to spread further across England and eventually to the American colonies.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Bofa
An Old English personal name meaning a bold or brave person.
This name
BoyntonRefers to the settlement or farmstead belonging to a man named Bofa.
also spelled
Boyntoun
Documented Sources
Sir Bernard Burke, The General Armory of England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales, London: Harrison & Sons, 1884
Baildon, W. Paley, Baildon and the Baildons: A History of a Yorkshire Family and Genealogy, 1924
Foster, Joseph, Pedigrees of the County Families of Yorkshire, 1874
York City Archives, York House Books, 1620
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
fessThe military belt, and readiness to serve
crescentHonour by the sovereign, and the second son
lionCourage, strength and royalty
fessThe military belt, and readiness to serve
crescentHonour by the sovereign, and the second son
lionCourage, strength and royalty
