Map of England showing where the Courtright arms are recorded
The Courtright arms were recorded in Nottingham, c. 1620.
Nottinghamshire had coal under it and forest across it, and both were worth money. Families who profited bought manors, and a manor was the ordinary reason for a family to take a coat 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 Courtright 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 Nottingham.
Origin & History of the Courtright Family in England
The surname Courtright is a topographical name that originated in England to describe people who lived near a specific type of land. The name is derived from the Old English words for a court or an enclosed yard and a right or straight path. By the early 17th century, the family was well-established in the county of Nottinghamshire. Records from 1620 show that members of the family were living in Nottingham during a period of significant social and economic change in the region. At that time, families often took their names from the physical features of their local environment, such as a garden, a manor house, or a specific lane. This suggests that the early Courtrights were likely landowners or tenants who resided near a prominent public pathway or a central administrative enclosure. Their presence in Nottingham during this era places them among the families who navigated the transition from the late Elizabethan period into the early Stuart era.
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
cometA great event foretold, and swift renown
Colours
Blue (Azure)Means: Loyalty and truth
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)
“Az. a comet in the dexter chief points, rays streaming in bend or”
Scotlandc. 1748
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Map of Scotland showing where the Courtright arms are recorded
The Courtright arms were recorded in Scotland, c. 1748.
Arms such as these were typically recorded in Edinburgh.
Edinburgh was the seat of Scotland's government, its courts and its heralds. Families with business there settled nearby, and being close to where arms were recorded is exactly why so many of them appear.
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 Scotland in this period.
George II of Great Britain
Sovereign of the period
George II of Great Britain
1727–1760
Reigning in England when the Courtright arms are first recorded.
How Arms Worked in Scotland
Scottish heraldry is unique because it treats a coat of arms as a piece of personal property protected by law. Only one person can own a specific design at any given time. When a family grows, the head keeps the original shield while other relatives must apply for their own distinct version with slight changes to prove their specific identity.
Granting authority
The Court of the Lord Lyon acts as the official body that regulates and controls all heraldic matters throughout Scotland.
How they got arms
Individuals obtain a legal right to their arms through a formal petition process that confirms their identity and family connection.
Where arms were recorded
All valid coats of arms are officially entered into the Public Register of All Arms and Bearings starting from 1672.
The family's standing
Recorded among the armigerous families of Scotland.
Origin & History of the Courtright Family in Scotland
The family name Courtright is rooted in a tradition of movement and adaptation, with early records placing members of the family in Edinburgh by 1748. During the mid-eighteenth century, Edinburgh was a hub of intellectual and social change known as the Scottish Enlightenment. Families living in the city at this time often navigated a society transitioning from traditional agricultural life to the rapid growth of urban trade and professional services. While the name itself suggests a connection to a specific court or enclosed land, its presence in Scotland reflects the broader pattern of families settling in bustling administrative centers to pursue new opportunities. By establishing themselves in the capital, the Courtrights became part of a dense network of residents who helped shape the city during a period of significant historical development.
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
wheelFortune's turning, and the carter's trade
crescentHonour by the sovereign, and the second son
Colours
Black (Sable)Means: Constancy
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)
“Per fess embattled sa. and or, three catherine wheels counterchanged a crescent for diff”
DublinDublin, c. 1636
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Map of Ireland showing where the Courtright arms are recorded
The Courtright arms were recorded in Dublin, c. 1636.
Dublin was the seat of government in Ireland and the place where grants were sought and recorded. Families with business at the castle or the courts settled nearby, and settling there put their arms on record.
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 Courtright 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 Dublin.
Origin & History of the Courtright Family in Ireland
The history of the Courtright name in Ireland begins with the arrival of family members in Dublin by 1636. During this period, Dublin was a bustling center of trade and administration, attracting settlers from across the British Isles who sought new opportunities in the city’s growing merchant class. The name itself reflects a connection to the landscape, likely originating from the Old English words for a court or enclosed yard near a stream. As these early family members established themselves in the capital, they became part of the complex social fabric of seventeenth-century Ireland. While the family name is often associated with later migrations to North America, their presence in Dublin records confirms they were active participants in the urban development and civic life of the city during a time of significant political change.
Courtright Meaning & Related Branches
Root word
Curt
Short or brief derived from the Latin curtus
This name
CourtrightA person who lived near a short or truncated piece of land or court
also spelled
Cartwryght
Cartwryghte
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
Nottinghamshire Archives, Nottingham St Mary’s Parish Registers, 1620
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lionCourage, strength and royalty
lionCourage, strength and royalty
cometA great event foretold, and swift renown
wheelFortune's turning, and the carter's trade
crescentHonour by the sovereign, and the second son
