A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Ecton family of England.
Reg. 5279 · English, D–F
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
cantonA mark of honour granted by the sovereign
cross symbolChristian faith and service
Colours
Silver (Argent)Means: Peace and sincerity
Black (Sable)Means: Constancy
Gold (Or)Means: Generosity
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)
“Barry of eight ar. and gu. a canton sa. (another, the canton charged with a cross patonce or)”
Englandc. 1620
Where the Ecton Arms Were Recorded
York
Map of England showing where the Ecton arms are recorded
The Ecton 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 Ecton 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 Ecton Family in England
The surname Ecton is a locative name, meaning it was originally taken from a specific place to identify the people who lived there. The name is derived from the village of Ecton in Northamptonshire, which was recorded in the Domesday Book as Ectone. Over time, individuals who moved away from this village began to use the name as a way to describe their place of origin. By the early 17th century, the family had established a presence in the historic city of York. Records confirm that members of the Ecton family were living and working in this northern hub by 1620. During this period, families often migrated toward major urban centers like York to find new opportunities in trade and local government, helping the name spread from its rural roots into the heart of northern English society.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Ecca
An Old English personal name derived from the word for edge.
This name
EctonA locational surname referring to a settlement situated on a sharp ridge or edge.
also spelled
Eckton
Ecktone
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
The National Archives, Domesday Book: Great Domesday, 1086
York City Archives, York City Chamberlains' Accounts, 1620
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
cantonA mark of honour granted by the sovereign
cross symbolChristian faith and service
cantonA mark of honour granted by the sovereign
cross symbolChristian faith and service
