A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Carston family of England.
Reg. 8559 · English, A–C
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
bendDefence, and the scarf of a commander
cross symbolChristian faith and service
Colours
Gold (Or)Means: Generosity
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)
“Or, on a bend sa. three crosses crosslet ar”
Englandc. 1620
Where the Carston Arms Were Recorded
York
Map of England showing where the Carston arms are recorded
The Carston 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 Carston 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 Carston Family in England
The family name Carston likely originated as a locative or patronymic surname, reflecting the deep roots of its early members in the historic city of York. By the year 1620, records confirm that the Carston family was firmly established within this northern English hub, a time when York served as a vital center for trade, religion, and regional governance. During the early seventeenth century, families in this area often lived in close-knit urban parishes where they contributed to the local economy as tradespeople or craftsmen. The name itself suggests a connection to the landscape or perhaps a shortened form of a name derived from the Old Norse or Germanic roots common in the Yorkshire region. As the family navigated the social changes of the Stuart era, they remained part of the vibrant community that defined York’s unique character during the transition into the modern age.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Christianus
A Latin name derived from the Greek word for follower of Christ.
This name
CarstonA patronymic surname meaning son of the follower of Christ.
also spelled
Carsten
Carstoun
Carstine
Documented Sources
Sir Bernard Burke, The General Armory of England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales, London: Harrison & Sons, 1884
Palliser, D.M., Tudor York, 1979
Raine, Angelo, Medieval York: A Topographical Survey Based on Original Sources, 1955
Borthwick Institute for Archives, York Diocesan Probate Records
York City Archives, House Books of the City 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.
bendDefence, and the scarf of a commander
cross symbolChristian faith and service
bendDefence, and the scarf of a commander
cross symbolChristian faith and service
