A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Caton family of England.
Reg. 4375 · English, A–C
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
fessThe military belt, and readiness to serve
cantonA mark of honour granted by the sovereign
cross symbolChristian faith and service
lionCourage, strength and royalty
roundelA coin, and one who has been to the crusades
Colours
Red (Gules)Means: Military strength
Blue (Azure)Means: Loyalty and truth
Gold (Or)Means: Generosity
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)
“Per fesse gu. and az. two cats-a-mountain pass. guard. in pale ar. pellettée, on a canton or, a cross crosslet fitchée sa”
LincolnBinbrook · Lincoln, c. 1599
Where the Caton Arms Were Recorded
Lincoln
Map of England showing where the Caton arms are recorded
The Caton arms were recorded in Lincoln, c. 1599.
Lincolnshire was rich farming country, and its wealth was spread across many middling families. Households of that size bought land and took arms, and the county holds a large share of English names.
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.
Elizabeth I of England
Sovereign of the period
Elizabeth I of England
1558–1603
Reigning in England when the Caton 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 Lincoln.
Origin & History of the Caton Family in England
The surname Caton is rooted in the landscape of Northern England, where it originated as a locative name derived from the village of Caton in Lancashire. People who moved away from this village often adopted the place name as their own to identify their origins. By the late sixteenth century, the family had established a presence further south in the historic city of Lincoln. Records confirm that members of the Caton family were living and working in Lincoln by 1599, suggesting they had successfully integrated into the local community as tradespeople or citizens during the Elizabethan era. This migration reflects the broader pattern of internal movement within England as families sought new opportunities in growing urban centers. Over the centuries, the name evolved through various spellings in parish registers, yet it remained a consistent marker of this family’s long-standing history in the region.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Cato
Latin for wise, sagacious, or clear-sighted.
This name
CatonDerived from a place name in Lancashire meaning settlement of the wise man.
also spelled
Cattone
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
Lincolnshire Archives, Lincoln St. Peter at Arches Parish Registers, 1599
Reaney, Percy Hide, A Dictionary of British Surnames, 1958
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
fessThe military belt, and readiness to serve
cantonA mark of honour granted by the sovereign
cross symbolChristian faith and service
lionCourage, strength and royalty
roundelA coin, and one who has been to the crusades
fessThe military belt, and readiness to serve
cantonA mark of honour granted by the sovereign
cross symbolChristian faith and service
lionCourage, strength and royalty
roundelA coin, and one who has been to the crusades
