A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Croft family lines. Documented in 2 countries.
Sir Bernard Burke, The General Armory of England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales, London: Harrison & Sons, 1884
Blazon (the actual original written record)“Lozengy ar. and az”
The Croft arms were recorded in Leicester, c. 1619.
Leicestershire was grazing country, and wool and cattle made steady money rather than spectacular fortunes. Steady money bought manors, and manors are what brought families into the registers.
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.
Reigning in England when the Croft arms are first recorded.
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.
The surname Croft is a topographic name, which means it was originally given to people based on the land where they lived. In Old English, the word croft referred to a small, enclosed field used for farming or pasture near a house. Families who took this name were likely small-scale farmers or laborers who worked these specific plots of land. By the early 17th century, the name was well-established in the English Midlands, particularly in Leicestershire. Records from 1619 confirm that members of the Croft family were active in the city of Leicester during this period. As the family grew, they became part of the local social fabric, contributing to the agricultural and civic life of the region as England transitioned into the modern era.
chevronProtection, and faithful service completed
cross symbolChristian faith and serviceSir Bernard Burke, The General Armory of England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales, London: Harrison & Sons, 1884
Blazon (the actual original written record)“Vert, a chev. betw. three cross crosslets or”
The Croft arms were recorded in Ireland, c. 1645.
Arms such as these were typically recorded in Dublin.
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.
Reigning in England when the Croft arms are first recorded.
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.
The surname Croft arrived in Ireland during a period of significant political and social upheaval in the seventeenth century. By 1645, records confirm that members of the family were established in Dublin, a city that served as the primary administrative and military hub for English interests in the country. During this era, families with this name were often associated with the professional and merchant classes who moved between England and Ireland to manage trade or government affairs. As they settled into the urban environment of Dublin, the family became part of the growing community of settlers who helped shape the city’s economic life. Over the following decades, the name became increasingly integrated into the local landscape, reflecting the broader patterns of migration and settlement that defined the history of the Irish capital during the mid-1600s.
An Old English term for a small enclosed field or farm.
