Map of England showing where the Coslett arms are recorded
The Coslett arms were recorded in Kent, c. 1620.
Kent sits between London and the short crossing to Europe, and the trade passing through made it wealthy. Merchant families bought land with that money, and it was landowners who took coats 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 Coslett 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 Kent.
Origin & History of the Coslett Family in England
The surname Coslett is believed to have roots in the linguistic traditions of the British Isles, likely emerging as a localized variation of names found in the southern regions of England. By the year 1620, records confirm that members of the family were established in the county of Kent. During this period, Kent served as a vital hub for trade and agriculture, placing the family in a region characterized by significant social and economic movement. Families in this area often lived in small parish communities where they worked as skilled tradespeople or tenant farmers. Over time, the name evolved through regional dialects and shifts in spelling, eventually solidifying into its modern form as the family spread across different parts of the country. This early presence in Kent suggests that the ancestors of the Coslett line were part of the foundational fabric of seventeenth-century English society.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Cus-Llwyd
Derived from the Welsh words for grey or hoary chest.
This name
CoslettA locational or descriptive surname likely referring to a person with grey hair or a grey-colored garment.
also spelled
Chyslett
Chyslet
Documented Sources
Sir Bernard Burke, The General Armory of England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales, London: Harrison & Sons, 1884
Cottle, Basil. The Penguin Dictionary of Surnames. 1967
Reaney, P.H. A Dictionary of British Surnames. 1958
Kent Archives, Archdeaconry Court of Canterbury, Probate Records, 1620
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
towerGrandeur and solidity, and a stronghold defended
escallopThe pilgrim's shell, and a long journey made
fessThe military belt, and readiness to serve
towerGrandeur and solidity, and a stronghold defended
escallopThe pilgrim's shell, and a long journey made
