A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Eccleston family lines. Documented in 2 countries.
Reg. 6579 · English, D–F
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
cross symbolChristian faith and service
fleur de lisPurity, light, and the sixth son
Colours
Silver (Argent)Means: Peace and sincerity
Black (Sable)Means: Constancy
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 cross sa. in the dexter chief a fleur-de-lis gu”
LancasterEccleston · Lancaster, c. 1789
Where the Eccleston Arms Were Recorded
Lancaster
Map of England showing where the Eccleston arms are recorded
The Eccleston arms were recorded in Lancaster, c. 1789.
Lancashire was divided among a great many small landed families, more than most northern counties. Estates were passed down whole rather than split up, so the same names hold the same ground for centuries in the records.
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.
George III of Great Britain
Sovereign of the period
George III of Great Britain
1760–1801
Reigning in England when the Eccleston 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 Lancaster.
Origin & History of the Eccleston Family in England
The surname Eccleston is a locative name, meaning it originated from people who lived in or near a place called Eccleston. In England, this name is deeply connected to the county of Lancashire, where several villages bear the title. The name itself is derived from the Old English words "eccles," meaning a church, and "tun," meaning a settlement or enclosure. This suggests that the earliest families to carry the name likely lived near a prominent church or a site of religious significance in the region. By the late 18th century, the family had established a firm presence in Lancaster, a historic town known for its ancient castle and trade connections. While the name began as a way to identify a person’s home village, it eventually became a permanent family identifier that was passed down through generations as the family grew and moved throughout the county.
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
cross symbolChristian faith and service
fleur de lisPurity, light, and the sixth son
trefoilPerpetuity, and the Trinity
lionCourage, strength and royalty
handFaith, sincerity and justice
mulletThe third son, and a divine quality from above
Colours
Silver (Argent)Means: Peace and sincerity
Black (Sable)Means: Constancy
Red (Gules)Means: Military strength
Green (Vert)Means: Hope
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)
“Quarterly, 1st and 4th, ar. a cross sa. in dexter chief a fleur-de-lis gu. in sinister a shamrock vert; 2nd and 3rd, ar. a lion ramp. sa. betw. two dexter hands in chief and in base a mullet gu”
LouthSheils-Eccleston · Louth, c. 1806
Where the Eccleston Arms Were Recorded
Louth
Map of Ireland showing where the Eccleston arms are recorded
The Eccleston arms were recorded in Louth, c. 1806.
Louth is the smallest Irish county but sat on the road north from Dublin. Norman families took it early, held it under arms, and stayed, which is what put their shields on record.
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 Ireland in this period.
George III of Great Britain
Sovereign of the period
George III of Great Britain
1801–1820
Reigning in England when the Eccleston arms are first recorded.
How Arms Worked in Ireland
The Ulster King of Arms granted coats of arms to individuals who proved their social standing and good character. These symbols were typically inherited by all legitimate descendants of the original holder. If a family branch wanted a unique look, they could apply for a specific change to their design through the office to ensure their identity remained distinct.
Granting authority
The Ulster King of Arms acted as the official body that regulated and issued all coats of arms throughout Ireland.
How they got arms
Families obtained their arms through formal grants issued by the office after proving their eligibility and paying the required fees.
Where arms were recorded
All official grants were recorded in the registers held by the Ulster King of Arms starting from the year 1552.
The family's standing
Recorded among the armigerous families of Louth.
Origin & History of the Eccleston Family in Ireland
The surname Eccleston is of English origin, derived from place names meaning church town, but its presence in Ireland is deeply connected to the movement of families across the Irish Sea. By the early nineteenth century, the name was firmly established in County Louth, a region that served as a vital gateway for trade and migration between Ireland and Britain. Families bearing this name in Louth during 1806 were part of a period of significant social change, as they integrated into the local community during a time of agricultural development and shifting land ownership. While the name originated in English parishes, those who settled in Louth became part of the unique fabric of Irish history, contributing to the local economy and the demographic shifts that defined the eastern coast of Ireland at the turn of the century. Their presence in the records of this era highlights how families moved, settled, and adapted to new environments while maintaining the identity of their ancestral name.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
ecclesia
Latin term for a church or assembly of people.
This name
EcclestonRefers to a person who lived at or near a church settlement.
also spelled
Eclestone
Documented Sources
Sir Bernard Burke, The General Armory of England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales, London: Harrison & Sons, 1884
Ekwall, Eilert. The Place-Names of Lancashire. 1922
Mills, Anthony David. A Dictionary of English Place-Names. 1991
Lancashire Archives, Lancaster Parish Registers: Baptisms, Marriages and Burials
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
fleur de lisPurity, light, and the sixth son
cross symbolChristian faith and service
fleur de lisPurity, light, and the sixth son
trefoilPerpetuity, and the Trinity
lionCourage, strength and royalty
handFaith, sincerity and justice
mulletThe third son, and a divine quality from above
