A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Charleston family of England.
Reg. 7882 · English, A–C
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
chevronProtection, and faithful service completed
eagleNobility, strength and a keen mind
Colours
Gold (Or)Means: Generosity
Green (Vert)Means: Hope
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)
“Or, on a chev. vert three eagles displ. of the field”
Englandc. 1620
Where the Charleston Arms Were Recorded
York
Map of England showing where the Charleston arms are recorded
The Charleston 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 Charleston 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 Charleston Family in England
The family name Charleston is a locative surname, meaning it likely originated from a specific place rather than a trade or personal trait. Historical records confirm that members of the family were established in the city of York by 1620, placing them in a region known for its deep medieval roots and strategic importance in Northern England. During this period, the name would have been associated with families living in or near a "ceorl-tun," which translates from Old English to mean a settlement of free peasants or a common village. As these early ancestors navigated the social and economic shifts of the seventeenth century, the name evolved from a descriptive reference to a specific location into a permanent family identifier. By settling in York, the family became part of a vibrant urban community that served as a hub for trade and local governance, allowing the name to persist through generations as the family integrated into the fabric of English life.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Ceorl-tun
Old English for a free peasant or freeman and an enclosure.
This name
CharlestonRefers to a settlement or farmstead belonging to a freeman or commoner.
also spelled
Charlesten
Charlestun
Charlestin
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
Reaney, P.H., A Dictionary of British Surnames, 1958
Borthwick Institute for Archives, York Diocesan Probate 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.
chevronProtection, and faithful service completed
eagleNobility, strength and a keen mind
chevronProtection, and faithful service completed
eagleNobility, strength and a keen mind
