A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Coulton family of England.
Reg. 6850 · English, A–C
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
chiefAuthority, wisdom and dominion
mulletThe third son, and a divine quality from above
Colours
Red (Gules)Means: Military strength
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)
“Gu. three mullets ar. a chief invecked or”
Englandc. 1620
Where the Coulton Arms Were Recorded
York
Map of England showing where the Coulton arms are recorded
The Coulton 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 Coulton 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 Coulton Family in England
The surname Coulton is a locational name, which means it was originally adopted by families living near a specific place or village. The name likely derives from the Old English words for a cool or cold town, suggesting that the earliest ancestors resided in a settlement known for its northern climate or a shaded valley. By the year 1620, historical records confirm that members of the Coulton family were well-established in the city of York. During this period, York was a bustling center of trade and religious life in Northern England. Families like the Coultons often worked as skilled tradespeople or merchants who contributed to the local economy of the city. As they moved through the generations, these early residents helped shape the identity of the name by embedding themselves into the social and professional fabric of Yorkshire.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Colt-tun
A settlement or farmstead belonging to a person named Colt.
This name
CoultonDerived from Old English elements referring to a farmstead associated with a young male horse or person.
also spelled
Colton
Coultun
Related arms
Coltonvariant spelling
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
Borthwick Institute for Archives, York Diocesan 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.
chiefAuthority, wisdom and dominion
mulletThe third son, and a divine quality from above
chiefAuthority, wisdom and dominion
mulletThe third son, and a divine quality from above
