A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Crafton family of England.
Reg. 3848 · English, A–C
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
cinquefoilHope and joy
Colours
Red (Gules)Means: Military strength
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)
“Paly of six gu. and or, a cinquefoil sa”
Englandc. 1620
Where the Crafton Arms Were Recorded
York
Map of England showing where the Crafton arms are recorded
The Crafton 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 Crafton 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 Crafton Family in England
The Crafton surname finds its roots in the historical landscape of Northern England, where the family established a notable presence in the city of York by the early seventeenth century. During this period, York served as a vital hub for trade and administration, placing the Crafton family at the center of a rapidly changing society. The name itself is thought to be locational, likely derived from an Old English term describing a small settlement or a specific plot of cultivated land. As the family settled into the urban environment of York around 1620, they became part of the local fabric, participating in the daily commerce and civic life of the region. This early foothold in such a significant historical city suggests that the family was well-integrated into the local community during a time of great social transition in England.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
croft
A small enclosed field or piece of arable land.
This name
CraftonDerived from a settlement located near a small enclosed field or farmstead.
also spelled
Crayfton
Craften
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
York City Archives, York City Chamberlains' Account Rolls, 1620
Reaney, P.H., A Dictionary of British Surnames, 1958
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
cinquefoilHope and joy
cinquefoilHope and joy
