Map of England showing where the Clayton arms are recorded
The Clayton arms were recorded in Norfolk, c. 1620.
Norfolk grew rich on wool and grain, and its wealth was spread among many middling families rather than a few great ones. Households of that kind bought land and took arms, and the county holds a large share of English names.
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 Clayton 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 Norfolk.
Origin & History of the Clayton Family in England
The surname Clayton is a locational name that originated in England, derived from Old English words meaning a settlement built on clay soil. Families bearing this name were established in various parts of the country long before the seventeenth century, as people often took their surnames from the specific villages or towns where they lived. By the year 1620, records confirm that members of the Clayton family were well-settled in the county of Norfolk. During this era, life in Norfolk was defined by the region's strong ties to agriculture and the growing textile trade. Families like the Claytons were often part of the local community structure, contributing to the development of rural parishes and the expansion of trade networks that connected East Anglia to the rest of the kingdom. These early ancestors lived through a time of significant social change, helping to shape the local history of the region as they established their roots in the English countryside.
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
chiefAuthority, wisdom and dominion
owlWisdom and vigilance by night
Colours
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)
“Sa. an owl and chief indented ar”
IrelandPhysic, c. 1647
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
Map of Ireland showing where the Clayton arms are recorded
The Clayton arms were recorded in Physic, c. 1647.
Arms such as these were typically recorded in Dublin.
Dublin was the seat of government in Ireland and the place where grants were sought and recorded. Families with business at the castle or the courts settled nearby, and settling there put their arms on record.
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 England when the Clayton 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 Ireland.
Origin & History of the Clayton Family in Ireland
The Clayton family name has roots that stretch back to the mid-seventeenth century in Ireland, with documented evidence placing members of the family in Dublin by 1647. During this period, Ireland was undergoing significant political and social upheaval, which often led to the movement of families across the Irish Sea from England. The name itself is of Old English origin, typically describing someone who lived near a place with clay soil. Once established in Dublin, the family integrated into the urban life of the capital city, which served as a major hub for trade and administration. Over the following generations, individuals bearing the name became part of the growing merchant and professional classes that defined the social landscape of colonial Dublin. Their presence in the city records during the 1640s highlights the broader pattern of migration that shaped the demographic history of Ireland during the seventeenth century.
Clayton Meaning & Related Branches
Root word
Claeg-tun
Old English words for clay and an enclosed settlement or town.
This name
ClaytonA place name referring to a settlement situated on clay-heavy soil.
also spelled
Claiton
Clayten
Related arms
Barlowrecorded with Clayton, same area
Brownrecorded with Clayton, same area
Calrowrecorded with Clayton, same area
Catterallrecorded with Clayton, same area
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
Norfolk Record Office, Parish registers and local administrative records for the county of Norfolk, 16th–17th century
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
cross symbolChristian faith and service
roundelA coin, and one who has been to the crusades
cross symbolChristian faith and service
roundelA coin, and one who has been to the crusades
chiefAuthority, wisdom and dominion
owlWisdom and vigilance by night
