A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Constantine family lines. Documented in 2 countries.
Reg. 5404 · English, A–C
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
cantonA mark of honour granted by the sovereign
lionCourage, strength and royalty
Colours
Blue (Azure)Means: Loyalty and truth
Gold (Or)Means: Generosity
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)
“Az. five leopards' faces ar. two, two, and one, a canton or”
Englandc. 1620
Where the Constantine Arms Were Recorded
York
Map of England showing where the Constantine arms are recorded
The Constantine 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 Constantine 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 Constantine Family in England
The family name Constantine traces its roots in England to a deep connection with the historic city of York. By the year 1620, records confirm that members of the family were already established residents in this northern hub. The name itself is derived from the Latin term Constantinus, which signifies someone who is steadfast or constant in character. While the name has ancient Roman origins, its presence in Yorkshire suggests that the family became integrated into the local life of northern England during the early seventeenth century. During this period, York was a center for trade and religious administration, and families like the Constantines often contributed to the local economy and social fabric of the city. Their early documented presence in this region highlights how the family name persisted through generations as a recognizable part of the community in York.
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
paleMilitary strength, and a fortified defence
lionCourage, strength and royalty
Colours
Black (Sable)Means: Constancy
Red (Gules)Means: Military strength
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)
“Per pale sa. and gu. three lions pass. guard. in pale per pale or and ar. armed az”
LimerickCashel · Limerick, c. 1645
Where the Constantine Arms Were Recorded
Limerick
Map of Ireland showing where the Constantine arms are recorded
The Constantine arms were recorded in Limerick, c. 1645.
Limerick was river country in western Ireland with a walled city at its centre. Merchant families ran the city and bought land around it, and both the trade and the land brought 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 Ireland in this period.
Charles I of England
Sovereign of the period
Charles I of England
1625–1649
Reigning in England when the Constantine 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 Limerick.
Origin & History of the Constantine Family in Ireland
The Constantine family name has a long and storied presence in Ireland, with historical records confirming their residence in County Limerick as early as 1645. While the name itself carries roots that stretch back to the Roman Empire, its Irish chapter is deeply tied to the social and political shifts of the seventeenth century. By the mid-1600s, members of the family were established within the urban landscape of Limerick, a city that served as a vital hub for trade and military activity during this turbulent era. These early settlers likely navigated the complex religious and land ownership changes that defined the time, integrating into the local community while maintaining their distinct identity. Through the centuries, the family name became a quiet but persistent thread in the regional history of the Shannon estuary, reflecting the broader patterns of migration and settlement that shaped the Irish mid-west.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Constantinus
Derived from the Latin word for constant, steadfast, or firm.
This name
ConstantineSignifies a person who is unwavering, faithful, and resolute in character.
also spelled
Constantyn
Constantyne
Related arms
Constantynevariant spelling
Glendeerecorded with Constantine, same area
Sallerecorded with Constantine, same area
Documented Sources
Sir Bernard Burke, The General Armory of England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales, London: Harrison & Sons, 1884
cantonA mark of honour granted by the sovereign
lionCourage, strength and royalty
cantonA mark of honour granted by the sovereign
lionCourage, strength and royalty
paleMilitary strength, and a fortified defence
