A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Charleton family of England.
Reg. 9086 · English, A–C
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
bendDefence, and the scarf of a commander
arms pheon arrowheadReadiness for battle, and the broad arrow of the sovereign
Colours
ErmineMeans: Dignity
Black (Sable)Means: Constancy
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)
“Erm. on a bend sa. three pheons ar”
SussexGuissons · Sussex, c. 1620
Where the Charleton Arms Were Recorded
Sussex
Map of England showing where the Charleton arms are recorded
The Charleton arms were recorded in Sussex, c. 1620.
Sussex had ironworks in its woods and good farmland on its downs. Both made money, and families who made it bought manors, which is what put their names in the heraldic records.
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 Charleton 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 Sussex.
Origin & History of the Charleton Family in England
The surname Charleton originates from Old English roots, specifically combining the words "ceorl," meaning a freeman or peasant, and "tun," meaning a settlement or farm. This suggests that the earliest people to carry the name likely lived in or managed a village inhabited by free tenants. By the year 1620, historical records confirm that members of the Charleton family were well-established in the county of Sussex. During this period, the family was deeply integrated into the local community, likely participating in the agricultural and social life of the English countryside. As the name spread across the region, it evolved in spelling and pronunciation, reflecting the local dialects of the time. These early ancestors helped shape the identity of their settlements, leaving behind a legacy that remains tied to the history of southern England.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
ceorl-tun
A settlement or farmstead belonging to a free peasant or freeman.
This name
CharletonDerived from an Old English place name referring to a village inhabited by free peasants.
also spelled
Charlton
Charilton
Charleten
Related arms
Rayesame arms
Chariltonvariant spelling
Charltonvariant spelling
Documented Sources
Sir Bernard Burke, The General Armory of England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales, London: Harrison & Sons, 1884
Reaney, P.H., A Dictionary of British Surnames, 1958
West Sussex Record Office, Parish Registers of Sussex, 1620
Ekwall, Eilert, The Concise Oxford Dictionary of English Place-names, 1936
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
arms pheon arrowheadReadiness for battle, and the broad arrow of the sovereign
bendDefence, and the scarf of a commander
arms pheon arrowheadReadiness for battle, and the broad arrow of the sovereign
