A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Deighton family of England.
Reg. 6288 · English, D–F
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
cross symbolChristian faith and service
lionCourage, strength and royalty
Colours
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)
“Ar. a lion pass betw. three crosses pattée gu”
Englandc. 1620
Where the Deighton Arms Were Recorded
York
Map of England showing where the Deighton arms are recorded
The Deighton 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 Deighton 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 Deighton Family in England
The surname Deighton is a locative name, meaning it originated from people who lived in or near a place called Deighton. Several villages by this name exist in North Yorkshire, and the name itself comes from the Old English words "dic," meaning a ditch or dike, and "tun," meaning an enclosed settlement or farm. By the early 17th century, the family had established a notable presence in the city of York. Records from 1620 confirm that members of the Deighton family were active in the civic and professional life of the city during this period. As the family grew, they became integrated into the local merchant and administrative classes, helping to shape the historical landscape of the region. Their movement from the rural areas of Yorkshire into the urban center of York reflects a common pattern of migration for families seeking greater economic opportunities during the Stuart era.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Dic-tun
Old English words for a ditch or dike and a settlement.
This name
DeightonA habitational name referring to a town or farmstead located near a ditch.
also spelled
Dighton
Deyghton
Related arms
Dightonvariant spelling
Documented Sources
Sir Bernard Burke, The General Armory of England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales, London: Harrison & Sons, 1884
Ekwall, Eilert. The Concise Oxford Dictionary of English Place-names. 1960
Smith, A.H. The Place-Names of the North Riding of Yorkshire. 1928
Borthwick Institute for Archives, University of York. York City Archives: House Books
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
lionCourage, strength and royalty
cross symbolChristian faith and service
lionCourage, strength and royalty
