A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Casson family of Wales.
Reg. 5177 · Welsh, A–C
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
chevronProtection, and faithful service completed
cantonA mark of honour granted by the sovereign
mulletThe third son, and a divine quality from above
Colours
Silver (Argent)Means: Peace and sincerity
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)
“Ar. three chev. and a canton gu. on each chev. a mullet of the field”
MerionethBlaenyddol · Merioneth, c. 1647
Where the Casson Arms Were Recorded
Merioneth
Map of Wales showing where the Casson arms are recorded
The Casson arms were recorded in Merioneth, c. 1647.
Merioneth was mountain country in north-west Wales, poor and thinly settled. Its families held small estates for centuries, and long tenure counted for more than wealth.
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 Wales in this period.
Charles I of England
Sovereign of the period
Charles I of England
1625–1649
Reigning in Wales when the Casson arms are first recorded.
How Arms Worked in Wales
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 Merioneth.
Origin & History of the Casson Family in Wales
The surname Casson has deep roots in the rugged landscape of North Wales, with documented evidence placing the family in the county of Merioneth as early as 1647. The name is generally considered to be of topographical or occupational origin, likely evolving from local dialects to describe people who lived near specific landmarks or held particular roles within their rural communities. During the seventeenth century, the Casson family was well-established in this mountainous region, where they lived as part of the Welsh gentry and farming classes. As the family grew, they became integrated into the social and economic fabric of the area, often appearing in local parish registers and legal documents that tracked land ownership and community responsibilities. Their presence in Merioneth reflects the broader history of Welsh families who maintained strong ties to their ancestral lands while adapting to the changing political climate of the British Isles during the mid-1600s.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Cassus
Latin term meaning empty, hollow, or vain.
This name
CassonA locational or descriptive surname likely referring to someone living in a hollow or valley.
also spelled
Cassun
Cassyn
Documented Sources
Sir Bernard Burke, The General Armory of England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales, London: Harrison & Sons, 1884
Morgan, T. J. and Morgan, Prys. Welsh Surnames. 1985
Richards, Melville. Welsh Administrative and Territorial Units. 1969
The National Library of Wales, Merioneth Quarter Sessions Records
The National Library of Wales, Diocese of Bangor Parish Registers
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