A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Deacon family lines. Documented in 2 countries.
Reg. 5613 · English, D–F
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
cross symbolChristian faith and service
chiefAuthority, wisdom and dominion
lionCourage, strength and royalty
roseThe seventh son, and beauty with grace
Colours
Blue (Azure)Means: Loyalty and truth
Gold (Or)Means: Generosity
Red (Gules)Means: Military strength
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 cross betw. four lions ramp. or, on a chief of the last three roses gu”
EnglandLondon, c. 1620
Where the Deacon Arms Were Recorded
London
Map of England showing where the Deacon arms are recorded
The Deacon arms were recorded in London, c. 1620.
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 Deacon 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 Deacon Family in England
The surname Deacon originated in England as an occupational name, derived from the Middle English word "deakene," which referred to a deacon in the church. During the medieval period, surnames were often adopted to describe a person’s role in their community, and those who served in clerical or administrative positions within the parish were frequently identified by this title. By the time the family was firmly established in London in 1620, the name had transitioned from a simple job description into a hereditary surname passed down through generations. These early London residents likely lived in a city undergoing rapid social and economic change, where the name served as a link to both their religious heritage and their ancestors' professional contributions to local life. As the family grew, they became part of the urban fabric of the capital, reflecting the broader movement of people who settled in London to pursue new opportunities during the early seventeenth century.
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
cross symbolChristian faith and service
chiefAuthority, wisdom and dominion
lionCourage, strength and royalty
roseThe seventh son, and beauty with grace
Colours
Blue (Azure)Means: Loyalty and truth
Gold (Or)Means: Generosity
Silver (Argent)Means: Peace and sincerity
Red (Gules)Means: Military strength
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 cross betw. four lions or, on a chief ar. three roses gu. quartering LILL, HEAD, and BOYS”
GlamorganLongcross House · Glamorgan, c. 1647
Where the Deacon Arms Were Recorded
Glamorgan
Map of Wales showing where the Deacon arms are recorded
The Deacon arms were recorded in Glamorgan, c. 1647.
Glamorgan was the richest part of Wales, with good coastal farmland and Norman castles along it. The families who held those castles kept their land for centuries, and long holding brought recorded 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 Wales in this period.
Charles I of England
Sovereign of the period
Charles I of England
1625–1649
Reigning in England when the Deacon arms are first recorded.
How Arms Worked in Wales
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 Glamorgan.
Origin & History of the Deacon Family in Wales
The surname Deacon originated as an occupational title, derived from the ecclesiastical role of a deacon within the church. While the name is found throughout Britain, its presence in Wales is particularly tied to the social and religious shifts of the seventeenth century. By 1647, records confirm that members of the Deacon family were established in the county of Glamorgan. During this period, Wales was experiencing significant political upheaval due to the English Civil War, and families like the Deacons were often integrated into the local parish structures that defined community life. Because the name began as a description of a person’s duties rather than a fixed hereditary label, it likely appeared in Glamorgan as individuals moved into the region to serve in administrative or religious capacities. Over time, these early settlers became part of the local fabric, transitioning from a descriptive title to a permanent family name that persisted through generations in the Welsh landscape.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
diakonos
A Greek term meaning servant, minister, or messenger.
This name
DeaconAn occupational surname for a church official or a servant in a household.
also spelled
Decon
Deaconne
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, Percy Hide, A Dictionary of British Surnames, 1958
The National Archives, Prerogative Court of Canterbury and related Probate Jurisdictions: Will Registers, 1620
London Metropolitan Archives, City of London Parish Registers, 1620
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
cross symbolChristian faith and service
chiefAuthority, wisdom and dominion
lionCourage, strength and royalty
roseThe seventh son, and beauty with grace
cross symbolChristian faith and service
chiefAuthority, wisdom and dominion
lionCourage, strength and royalty
roseThe seventh son, and beauty with grace
