A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Caunton family of England.
Reg. 3057 · English, A–C
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
chevronProtection, and faithful service completed
griffinValour and vigilance, guarding great treasure
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. a chev. betw. three griffins' heads erased sa”
Englandc. 1620
Where the Caunton Arms Were Recorded
York
Map of England showing where the Caunton arms are recorded
The Caunton 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 Caunton 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 Caunton Family in England
The surname Caunton is a locative name, meaning it likely originated from a specific place rather than a trade or personal characteristic. Historical records confirm that members of the family were established in the city of York by 1620, where they were integrated into the local community during the early seventeenth century. The name itself is thought to derive from the Old English words for a settlement or enclosure, suggesting that the earliest ancestors lived near a distinct boundary or a fenced area of land. As the family grew, they became part of the social fabric of Northern England, living through a period of significant religious and political change in the region. By settling in a major urban center like York, the family likely participated in the local trade and civic life that defined the city during the Stuart era.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Calverton
A settlement located near a calf pasture or enclosure.
This name
CauntonA habitational name derived from a place in Nottinghamshire, denoting someone from a calf-rearing farm.
also spelled
Cauntoun
Cauntoune
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
York City Archives, York City Chamberlains' Accounts, 1620
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.
chevronProtection, and faithful service completed
griffinValour and vigilance, guarding great treasure
chevronProtection, and faithful service completed
griffinValour and vigilance, guarding great treasure
