A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Crofton family lines. Documented in 2 countries.
Reg. 6100 · French, A–C
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
lionCourage, strength and royalty
Colours
Gold (Or)Means: Generosity
Blue (Azure)Means: Loyalty and truth
Historical info
Source
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Blazon (the actual original written record)
“Parti-denché d'or et d'azur; au léopard de l'un en l'autre. C.: sept épis d'or, mouv. d'une même tige, surm. de la Légende: PRO PATRIA ET REGE. S.: à dextre un lion d'azur; à sen. un cerf au nat., ramé et onglé d'or. D.: DAT DEUS INCREMENTUM.”
Francec. 1725
Where the Crofton Arms Were Recorded
Bretagne
Map of France showing where the Crofton arms are recorded
The Crofton arms were recorded in France, c. 1725.
Arms such as these were typically recorded in Bretagne.
More families held coats of arms in Bretagne than anywhere else in France. The land was divided into many small estates rather than a few large ones, so far more households counted as gentry, and each needed a shield of its own to be told apart.
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 France in this period.
Louis XV of France
Sovereign of the period
Louis XV of France
1715–1774
Reigning in France when the Crofton arms are first recorded.
How Arms Worked in France
In France, a coat of arms was a mark of honor that passed down through the male line to all legitimate descendants. Families often used the same shield without changes to show their shared heritage. If a branch wanted to stand out, they could add a small mark to their shield to show their specific place in the family tree.
Granting authority
The Juge d'armes de France acted as the official authority that regulated and verified coats of arms across the country.
How they got arms
Families typically inherited their arms from ancestors, though they could also receive them through royal grants or by proving their noble status.
Where arms were recorded
Coats of arms were officially recorded in the Armorial Général de France, which began its main collection in the year 1696.
The family's standing
Recorded among the armigerous families of France.
Origin & History of the Crofton Family in France
The history of the Crofton name in France is deeply tied to the coastal region of Bretagne, where records confirm the family was established by 1725. During this period, the name likely emerged as a localized variation of names describing those who lived near small farms or enclosures, as the root words often relate to land management in Old French and Breton dialects. Families in this part of France were frequently involved in maritime trade and local agriculture, which allowed them to build strong community roots over several generations. Because Bretagne maintained a distinct cultural identity separate from the rest of the kingdom, the Croftons lived in a society that valued regional traditions and specific land-tenure customs. By settling in this rugged coastal landscape, the early members of the family became part of a complex social structure that defined life in western France during the eighteenth century.
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
paleMilitary strength, and a fortified defence
Colours
Gold (Or)Means: Generosity
Blue (Azure)Means: Loyalty and truth
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 pale indented or and az. a”
Irelandc. 1645
Where the Crofton Arms Were Recorded
Dublin
Map of Ireland showing where the Crofton arms are recorded
The Crofton 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.
Charles I of England
Sovereign of the period
Charles I of England
1625–1649
Reigning in France when the Crofton 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 Ireland.
Origin & History of the Crofton Family in Ireland
The Crofton family established a significant presence in Ireland during the seventeenth century, with records confirming their residence in Dublin by 1645. While the name originated in England, the family quickly integrated into the administrative and social fabric of Irish life during a period of intense political transition. Many members of the family served in official capacities, acting as government administrators and landowners who helped manage the shifting landscape of the country. Their move to Ireland was part of a larger trend of migration that saw families from across the Irish Sea take on roles in the governance of Dublin and the surrounding regions. By settling in the capital, the Croftons became part of a growing class of families who influenced the economic and civil development of the city throughout the mid-1600s.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Croft
A small enclosed field or piece of arable land.
This name
CroftonDerived from a locational name referring to someone living near a small enclosed farm.
also spelled
Krofton
Croftoun
Related arms
Dewinsame arms
Crokerrecorded with Crofton, same area
Documented Sources
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Archives départementales du Finistère, État civil et registres paroissiaux
Archives départementales du Morbihan, Fonds de l'intendance de Bretagne
Dauzat, Albert, Dictionnaire étymologique des noms de famille et prénoms de France, 1951
Le Gall, Jean-Yves, Histoire de la Bretagne et des Bretons, 2005
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lionCourage, strength and royalty
lionCourage, strength and royalty
paleMilitary strength, and a fortified defence
