A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Caston family of England.
Reg. 8506 · 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
Silver (Argent)Means: Peace and sincerity
Black (Sable)Means: Constancy
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. on a bend sa. three crosses crosslet fitchée of the field”
CambridgeCambridge, c. 1620
Where the Caston Arms Were Recorded
Cambridge
Map of England showing where the Caston arms are recorded
The Caston arms were recorded in Cambridge, c. 1620.
Cambridgeshire was flat, rich farming country with the university at its centre. Fen drainage made new land and new fortunes, and families who gained by it bought manors and took arms to match.
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 Caston 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 Cambridge.
Origin & History of the Caston Family in England
The surname Caston is rooted in the landscape of medieval England, likely originating as a locational name for families who lived near a fortified settlement or a castle. By the early 17th century, the name was well-established in the region of Cambridge, where members of the family were active participants in the local community. These early ancestors lived during a period of significant social and religious change, which influenced many families to seek new opportunities across the Atlantic. The presence of the Caston name in Cambridge records from 1620 suggests that the family was part of a stable, long-standing population that helped shape the local history of the area before the era of mass migration to the American colonies.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Castel
A fortified building or stronghold derived from the Latin castellum.
This name
CastonA habitational name for someone who lived near or worked at a castle.
also spelled
Kaston
Castoun
Related arms
Caustonsame arms
Documented Sources
Sir Bernard Burke, The General Armory of England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales, London: Harrison & Sons, 1884
Reaney, P.H. and Wilson, R.M., A Dictionary of English Surnames, 1991
Cambridgeshire Archives, Bishop’s Transcripts of Parish Registers, 1620
Cottle, Basil, The Penguin Dictionary of Surnames, 1967
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
