A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Easterling family of England.
Reg. 9946 · English, D–F
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
bendDefence, and the scarf of a commander
cinquefoilHope and joy
Colours
Silver (Argent)Means: Peace and sincerity
Red (Gules)Means: Military strength
Gold (Or)Means: Generosity
Blue (Azure)Means: Loyalty and truth
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)
“Paly of six ar. and az. on a bend gu. three cinquefoils or”
Englandc. 1620
Where the Easterling Arms Were Recorded
York
Map of England showing where the Easterling arms are recorded
The Easterling 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 Easterling 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 Easterling Family in England
The name Easterling originated as a descriptive term for people who migrated from the eastern regions of Europe to the British Isles. During the Middle Ages, merchants from the Hanseatic League, particularly those from German-speaking lands, were frequently referred to as Easterlings because they arrived from the east. Over time, this label transitioned from a general description of a trader into a formal hereditary surname for families who settled permanently in England. By the early 17th century, the name was well-established in northern England, with records confirming that members of the Easterling family were living in York by 1620. These early families likely integrated into the local economy of York, which was a major hub for trade and craftsmanship during that period. The transition from a geographic identifier to a family name reflects the movement of people across the North Sea and their eventual assimilation into English society.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Austr
Old Norse term meaning east or eastern direction.
This name
EasterlingA person who originated from the east or a merchant from the Baltic region.
also spelled
Esterling
Esterlinge
Related arms
Esterlingvariant spelling
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, P.H., A Dictionary of British Surnames, 1958
The National Archives, State Papers Domestic, James I, 1620
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
cinquefoilHope and joy
bendDefence, and the scarf of a commander
cinquefoilHope and joy
