A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Cliton family of England.
Reg. 0957 · English, A–C
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
fessThe military belt, and readiness to serve
owlWisdom and vigilance by night
Colours
Red (Gules)Means: Military strength
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)
“Gu. a fesse indented point in point, sa. and ar. betw. three owls' heads erased of the third”
Englandc. 1620
Where the Cliton Arms Were Recorded
York
Map of England showing where the Cliton arms are recorded
The Cliton arms were recorded in England, c. 1620.
Arms such as these were typically recorded in York.
Yorkshire is the largest of the English counties, and it held more gentry families than any other. Land there was split among a great many households rather than a few, so a great many of them carried 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 Cliton 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 England.
Origin & History of the Cliton Family in England
The family name Cliton has deep roots connected to the historic city of York, where records confirm members of the family were living as early as 1620. During this period, York was a bustling center of trade and religious activity, and families like the Clitons often played roles in the local economy or the tight-knit parish communities of northern England. The name itself likely evolved from older geographic descriptions or occupational titles common in the medieval period, reflecting the way surnames were formed as populations grew and people needed to distinguish themselves from their neighbors. By settling in a major hub like York, the early Clitons were positioned at the intersection of regional commerce and social change. Their presence in the city archives during the seventeenth century suggests they were established residents who participated in the daily life of a city defined by its ancient walls and long-standing traditions.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Clifton
A settlement located near a cliff or steep slope.
This name
ClitonDerived from a locational surname referring to a farmstead situated by a precipice.
also spelled
Clyton
Clytton
Related arms
Clytonvariant spelling
Documented Sources
Sir Bernard Burke, The General Armory of England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales, London: Harrison & Sons, 1884
Baines, Edward. History, Directory, and Gazetteer of the County of York. 1822
Palliser, D.M. Tudor York. 1979
Borthwick Institute for Archives, University of York. York Diocesan Probate Records
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fessThe military belt, and readiness to serve
owlWisdom and vigilance by night
fessThe military belt, and readiness to serve
owlWisdom and vigilance by night
