A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Crowton family lines. Documented in 2 countries.
Reg. 2508 · English, A–C
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
chevronProtection, and faithful service completed
ravenConstancy and divine providence
crescentHonour by the sovereign, and the second son
Colours
Silver (Argent)Means: Peace and sincerity
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)
“Ar. on a chev. gu. betw. four ravens sa. a crescent or”
Englandc. 1620
Where the Crowton Arms Were Recorded
York
Map of England showing where the Crowton arms are recorded
The Crowton 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 Crowton 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 Crowton Family in England
The family name Crowton finds its roots in the northern regions of England, where the surname likely emerged as a locational identifier linked to specific settlements or geographic features. By the early 17th century, the family had established a notable presence in the city of York, a major hub of trade and administration in the north. Records from 1620 confirm that members of the Crowton family were active participants in the social and economic life of this historic city during the reign of King James I. At this time, York was a center of religious and political change, and families residing there often held roles within the local guilds or the parish structure. The name itself suggests a connection to the landscape, perhaps referring to a settlement near a crow-frequented wood or a specific valley. As the family grew, they became part of the fabric of northern English society, leaving behind a legacy that reflects the steady development of regional surnames during the transition into the modern era.
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
chevronProtection, and faithful service completed
martletA younger son, who must win his own land
crescentHonour by the sovereign, and the second son
Colours
Silver (Argent)Means: Peace and sincerity
Red (Gules)Means: Military strength
Black (Sable)Means: Constancy
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)
“Ar. on a chev. gu. betw. three martlets sa. as many crescents of the first”
Irelandc. 1645
Where the Crowton Arms Were Recorded
Dublin
Map of Ireland showing where the Crowton arms are recorded
The Crowton 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 England when the Crowton 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 Crowton Family in Ireland
The surname Crowton has a distinct history in Ireland that centers on the mid-seventeenth century. By 1645, records confirm that members of the Crowton family were already established in Dublin. During this period, Ireland was undergoing significant political upheaval, and families living in the capital city were often involved in the shifting landscape of trade and administration. While the name is not as common as other Irish surnames, its presence in Dublin suggests that the family was part of the urban middle class that helped shape the city during the mid-1600s. These early settlers likely navigated the complex social and economic changes of the era as Dublin grew into a major center of commerce. Over time, the family name became a small but permanent thread in the historical fabric of the region.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Crow + Tun
A bird of the corvid family and an Old English settlement enclosure.
This name
CrowtonRefers to a farmstead or village inhabited by crows or a person named Crow.
also spelled
Crowten
Crowtin
Crowtun
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
Borthwick Institute for Archives, York Diocesan Records: Parish Registers of the City of York, 1620
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
chevronProtection, and faithful service completed
ravenConstancy and divine providence
crescentHonour by the sovereign, and the second son
chevronProtection, and faithful service completed
ravenConstancy and divine providence
crescentHonour by the sovereign, and the second son
martletA younger son, who must win his own land
