A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Bunton family of England.
Reg. 3787 · English, A–C
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
handFaith, sincerity and justice
Colours
Black (Sable)Means: Constancy
Silver (Argent)Means: Peace and sincerity
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)
“Sa. three sinister hands ar”
Englandc. 1620
Where the Bunton Arms Were Recorded
York
Map of England showing where the Bunton arms are recorded
The Bunton 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 Bunton 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 Bunton Family in England
The surname Bunton is believed to have originated in England as a descriptive name or a locational identifier. By the early 17th century, the family was well-established in the historic city of York, where records confirm their presence by 1620. During this period, York was a major hub for trade and religious life, and families like the Buntons often worked as skilled tradespeople or merchants who contributed to the local economy. The name likely evolved from Old English roots, possibly relating to a specific settlement or a personal nickname that became a permanent family identifier as surnames became more common. Because the family was settled in such a significant northern city, they were likely involved in the daily growth and civic development of the region during the transition into the Stuart era.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Bunt
A Middle English term referring to a bulge or a swelling.
This name
BuntonA habitational name for someone living near a rounded hill or a person with a stout build.
also spelled
Bunten
Buntin
Related arms
Bunten, or Buntingvariant spelling
Buntinvariant 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, P.H., A Dictionary of British Surnames, 1958
Borthwick Institute for Archives, York Diocesan Probate Records, 1620
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handFaith, sincerity and justice
handFaith, sincerity and justice
