Map of Ireland showing where the Clanton arms are recorded
The Clanton arms were recorded in Down, c. 1645.
Down was north-eastern Irish country settled from Scotland in the seventeenth century. The new landowners took grants and had them recorded, which is why so many Down families carry documented shields.
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 Ireland in this period.
Charles I of England
Sovereign of the period
Charles I of England
1625–1649
Reigning in Ireland when the Clanton arms are first recorded.
How Arms Worked in Ireland
The Ulster King of Arms granted coats of arms to individuals who proved their social standing and good character. These symbols were typically inherited by all legitimate descendants of the original holder. If a family branch wanted a unique look, they could apply for a specific change to their design through the office to ensure their identity remained distinct.
Granting authority
The Ulster King of Arms acted as the official body that regulated and issued all coats of arms throughout Ireland.
How they got arms
Families obtained their arms through formal grants issued by the office after proving their eligibility and paying the required fees.
Where arms were recorded
All official grants were recorded in the registers held by the Ulster King of Arms starting from the year 1552.
The family's standing
Recorded among the armigerous families of Down.
Origin & History of the Clanton Family in Ireland
The Clanton family name has deep roots that trace back to the mid-seventeenth century in County Down, located in present-day Northern Ireland. By 1645, records indicate that members of the family were already established in this region during a period of significant social and political upheaval. The name likely evolved from local place names or descriptive terms common to the settlers of that era. As these early ancestors navigated life in the Ulster region, they were part of a growing population that would eventually see many members migrate across the Atlantic to North America. This movement helped spread the family name into new territories where they became part of the frontier history of the United States. While the exact origins of the surname remain a subject of study, the presence of the family in County Down serves as the primary anchor for their documented history.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Mac Leannáin
Son of the follower or devotee of Saint Finnian.
This name
ClantonAn Anglicized form of an Irish surname denoting descent from a devoted follower.
also spelled
Clinton
Documented Sources
Sir Bernard Burke, The General Armory of England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales, London: Harrison & Sons, 1884
Public Record Office of Northern Ireland, Hearth Money Rolls for County Down, 1663
W.H. Crawford, The Hearth Money Rolls for County Down, 1982
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
lionCourage, strength and royalty
mulletThe third son, and a divine quality from above
fessThe military belt, and readiness to serve
lionCourage, strength and royalty
mulletThe third son, and a divine quality from above
