Map of England showing where the Easter arms are recorded
The Easter 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 Easter 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 Easter Family in England
The surname Easter is primarily classified as a locative or topographic name, likely originating from individuals who lived to the east of a specific landmark or within a settlement known as Easter. During the medieval period in England, surnames often shifted from descriptive nicknames to hereditary family names as populations grew and record-keeping became more formal. By the time members of the Easter family were documented in York in 1620, the name had already been established for several generations within the northern regions of England. These early ancestors in York likely lived during a time of significant social change, as the city served as a major hub for trade and administration. While the specific origins of the family remain tied to these early northern roots, the name reflects the common practice of using geographic markers to identify families within their local communities.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Eostre
A Germanic goddess associated with the spring and dawn.
This name
EasterA topographic name for someone who lived to the east or a name for someone born during the spring festival.
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
Borthwick Institute for Archives, York Diocesan Probate Records, 1620
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
chiefAuthority, wisdom and dominion
roundelA coin, and one who has been to the crusades
chiefAuthority, wisdom and dominion
roundelA coin, and one who has been to the crusades
