A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Castleton family of England.
Reg. 5108 · English, A–C
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
bendDefence, and the scarf of a commander
serpentWisdom, healing and prudence
Colours
Blue (Azure)Means: Loyalty and truth
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)
“Az. on a bend ar. three adders embowed of the field”
SurreySurrey, c. 1620
Where the Castleton Arms Were Recorded
Surrey
Map of England showing where the Castleton arms are recorded
The Castleton arms were recorded in Surrey, c. 1620.
Surrey sat just south of London and filled up with families who had made money in the City. Buying an estate there was the usual next step, and an estate was the usual reason to take 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 Castleton 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 Surrey.
Origin & History of the Castleton Family in England
The surname Castleton is a locative name, which means it was originally derived from a specific place rather than a trade or a personal characteristic. In the case of this family, the name likely emerged from individuals who lived near or worked within a prominent fortified structure or a village built around a castle. By the year 1620, historical records confirm that members of the Castleton family were well-established in the county of Surrey. During this period, the family was part of the local social fabric in southern England, likely participating in the agricultural and community life that defined the region. As the name spread, it remained tied to the geography of the English landscape, reflecting a history rooted in the local settlements and rural development of the early seventeenth century.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Castellum
A Latin term referring to a fort, castle, or fortified place.
This name
CastletonDerived from a location meaning a town or settlement situated near a castle.
also spelled
Castelton
Casteltoun
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
Surrey History Centre, Quarter Sessions Records, 1620
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
serpentWisdom, healing and prudence
bendDefence, and the scarf of a commander
serpentWisdom, healing and prudence
