A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Counter family of England.
Reg. 6313 · English, A–C
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
roundelA coin, and one who has been to the crusades
Colours
Red (Gules)Means: Military strength
Gold (Or)Means: Generosity
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)
“Barry of six gu. and or, fifteen roundles counterchanged, three, two, three, two, three, and two”
Englandc. 1620
Where the Counter Arms Were Recorded
York
Map of England showing where the Counter arms are recorded
The Counter 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 Counter 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 Counter Family in England
The family name Counter likely originated as an occupational surname, referring to someone who worked as an accountant, a treasurer, or a clerk in a medieval household. By the year 1620, records confirm that members of the Counter family were established in the historic city of York. During this period, York was a bustling center of trade and religious life, and families living there were often involved in the local merchant guilds or the administrative functions of the cathedral city. As the name suggests a role involving the management of money or goods, these early ancestors may have served as trusted officials who helped maintain the financial records of the local gentry or the growing merchant class. Over time, the name became a permanent identifier for these individuals, linking their family history to the professional and civic development of Northern England.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
computare
Latin verb meaning to count, calculate, or reckon together.
This name
CounterAn occupational surname for an accountant, bookkeeper, or someone who kept financial records.
also spelled
Countre
Countar
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
York City Archives, York City Chamberlains' Account Rolls, 1620
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
roundelA coin, and one who has been to the crusades
roundelA coin, and one who has been to the crusades
