A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Clarkson family of England.
Reg. 5130 · English, A–C
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
bendDefence, and the scarf of a commander
ringFidelity, and a promise kept
Colours
Silver (Argent)Means: Peace and sincerity
Black (Sable)Means: Constancy
Gold (Or)Means: Generosity
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. on a bend engr. sa. three annulets or”
NottinghamKenton · Nottingham, c. 1620
Where the Clarkson Arms Were Recorded
Nottingham
Map of England showing where the Clarkson arms are recorded
The Clarkson arms were recorded in Nottingham, c. 1620.
Nottinghamshire had coal under it and forest across it, and both were worth money. Families who profited bought manors, and a manor was the ordinary reason for a family to take a coat of 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 Clarkson 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 Nottingham.
Origin & History of the Clarkson Family in England
The surname Clarkson is a patronymic name, which means it was originally created to identify a person as the son of a clerk. During the Middle Ages, a clerk was often a man who could read and write, serving in roles like a scribe, a record keeper, or a member of the clergy. Because these individuals held specialized and respected positions in their communities, the name became a common way to distinguish their children from others. By the year 1620, the Clarkson family was already well-established in Nottingham, a region known for its strong ties to trade and local administration. As the family grew, they became deeply integrated into the social and economic life of the area, reflecting the transition of the name from a professional description to a permanent hereditary surname passed down through generations.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Clerk
A member of the clergy or a learned scholar.
This name
ClarksonRefers to the son of a clerk or a learned administrative official.
also spelled
Clarkeson
Clarkesone
Related arms
Clarkesonvariant spelling
Clarkesonevariant spelling
Clarkesonnvariant spelling
Clerksonvariant spelling
Documented Sources
Sir Bernard Burke, The General Armory of England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales, London: Harrison & Sons, 1884
Reaney, P.H. and Wilson, R.M., A Dictionary of English Surnames, 1991
Nottinghamshire Archives, Nottingham St Mary’s Parish Registers, PR 1620
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
ringFidelity, and a promise kept
bendDefence, and the scarf of a commander
ringFidelity, and a promise kept
