Map of England showing where the Clason arms are recorded
The Clason arms were recorded in Gloucester, c. 1620.
Gloucestershire had good farmland, a cloth trade in its valleys and a river carrying goods to Bristol. All three made money, and money bought the estates that brought arms with them.
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 Clason 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 Gloucester.
Origin & History of the Clason Family in England
The surname Clason is a patronymic name, which means it was originally formed to identify a person as the son of someone named Clas. The name Clas is a shortened version of the name Nicholas, which was very popular throughout Northern Europe during the Middle Ages. By the early 17th century, families carrying this name had established themselves in various coastal regions, including the area around Gloucester. When these early settlers arrived in the American colonies around 1620, they brought the name with them as a way to maintain their family identity in a new land. Over time, the spelling of the name became standardized as Clason, reflecting the phonetic traditions of the English-speaking communities where these families settled. This transition from a simple descriptive name to a permanent family surname highlights the way early immigrants preserved their heritage while adapting to life in a growing society.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Nicholas
Derived from Greek words meaning victory of the people.
This name
ClasonA patronymic surname meaning son of Nicholas.
also spelled
Claxon
Claxston
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. and Wilson, R.M., A Dictionary of English Surnames, 1991
Massachusetts State Archives, Colonial Records of the Massachusetts Bay Colony, 1620–1686
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
hedgehogA provident provider
stagPeace and harmony, and one who will not fight unprovoked
fessThe military belt, and readiness to serve
hedgehogA provident provider
stagPeace and harmony, and one who will not fight unprovoked
