A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Ditton family of England.
Reg. 0510 · English, D–F
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
bendDefence, and the scarf of a commander
martletA younger son, who must win his own land
Colours
Silver (Argent)Means: Peace and sincerity
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 bend sa. theee martlets of the field”
Englandc. 1620
Where the Ditton Arms Were Recorded
York
Map of England showing where the Ditton arms are recorded
The Ditton 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 Ditton 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 Ditton Family in England
The surname Ditton is a locative name, meaning it originated from people who lived in or came from a place called Ditton. In Old English, the name is derived from the words "dic," meaning a ditch or embankment, and "tun," meaning an enclosed settlement or farmstead. By the early 17th century, members of the Ditton family were well-established in the historic city of York. Records confirm their presence in the region by 1620, a time when York was a bustling center of trade and religious life in Northern England. As the family grew, they became part of the local fabric of the city, likely working in the various crafts and trades that supported the economy of the walled town. Over time, the family name spread from these northern roots as individuals moved across the country to seek new opportunities in farming, commerce, and civic life.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
dic-tun
Old English elements meaning ditch or dike and an enclosed settlement.
This name
DittonRefers to a person who lived near a ditch, dike, or fortified enclosure.
also spelled
Dytton
Ditten
Dytten
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
Reaney, P.H., A Dictionary of British Surnames, 1958
Borthwick Institute for Archives, York, Archbishop of York Diocesan Records
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
bendDefence, and the scarf of a commander
martletA younger son, who must win his own land
bendDefence, and the scarf of a commander
martletA younger son, who must win his own land
