A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Dolton family of England.
Reg. 8442 · English, D–F
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
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Colours
Black (Sable)Means: Constancy
ErmineMeans: Dignity
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)
“Sa. a cross engr. erm”
Englandc. 1620
Where the Dolton Arms Were Recorded
York
Map of England showing where the Dolton arms are recorded
The Dolton 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 Dolton 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 Dolton Family in England
The surname Dolton is a locational name that likely originated from individuals living near a specific valley or settlement. In Old English, the name is rooted in the combination of the words for a valley, known as a "dole" or "dale," and a town or enclosure, known as a "tun." By the year 1620, records confirm that families bearing this name were well-established in the historic city of York. During this period, York was a bustling center of trade and religious activity, and families like the Doltons were often integrated into the local merchant or artisan classes. These early inhabitants likely played a role in the daily life of the city, contributing to the growth of the region as England moved into the seventeenth century. The name has since persisted as a testament to these early roots in the north of England.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Dal-tun
Old English words for a valley and an enclosed settlement or farm.
This name
DoltonRefers to a person who lived at a farm or settlement located within a valley.
also spelled
Doulton
Documented Sources
Sir Bernard Burke, The General Armory of England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales, London: Harrison & Sons, 1884
Reaney, P.H., A Dictionary of English Surnames, 1991
Bardsley, Charles Wareing, A Dictionary of English and Welsh Surnames, 1901
Borthwick Institute for Archives, York Diocesan Probate Records
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