A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Capon family of England.
Reg. 3382 · English, A–C
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
chevronProtection, and faithful service completed
mulletThe third son, and a divine quality from above
Colours
Black (Sable)Means: Constancy
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)
“Sa. a chev. betw. three mullets or”
Englandc. 1620
Where the Capon Arms Were Recorded
York
Map of England showing where the Capon arms are recorded
The Capon 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 Capon 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 Capon Family in England
The surname Capon is primarily rooted in medieval England, where it originated as a descriptive nickname. During the Middle Ages, it was common for people to be identified by their physical traits, occupations, or even their eating habits. The name is derived from the Old French word *capon*, which refers to a castrated rooster raised for food. It is likely that the first people to carry this name were either poultry farmers who specialized in raising these birds or individuals known for their fondness for this specific dish. By the time the family was firmly established in York in 1620, the name had transitioned from a simple nickname into a formal hereditary surname passed down through generations. These early residents of York were part of a growing urban population in a city that served as a major center for trade and religious life in Northern England. Their presence in the city records during the early seventeenth century suggests that the family had already integrated into the local community as established citizens during a time of significant social change.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Capo
Derived from the Latin word for head or leader.
This name
CaponAn occupational name for a poultry farmer or a nickname for a plump person.
also spelled
Capoun
Related arms
Capounvariant spelling
Documented Sources
Sir Bernard Burke, The General Armory of England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales, London: Harrison & Sons, 1884
Reaney, P.H., A Dictionary of English Surnames, 1991
Bardsley, Charles Wareing, A Dictionary of English and Welsh Surnames, 1901
Borthwick Institute for Archives, York Diocesan Probate Records
The National Archives, Lay Subsidy Rolls for the County of York
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
chevronProtection, and faithful service completed
mulletThe third son, and a divine quality from above
chevronProtection, and faithful service completed
mulletThe third son, and a divine quality from above
