A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Edmonston family of Ireland.
Reg. 9437 · Irish, D–F
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
ringFidelity, and a promise kept
crescentHonour by the sovereign, and the second son
Colours
Red (Gules)Means: Military strength
Gold (Or)Means: Generosity
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)
“Gu. a gem ring or, gemmed az. betw. three crescents of the second”
AntrimBraiden Island · Antrim, c. 1645
Where the Edmonston Arms Were Recorded
Antrim
Map of Ireland showing where the Edmonston arms are recorded
The Edmonston arms were recorded in Antrim, c. 1645.
Antrim was north-eastern Irish country settled from Scotland in the seventeenth century. The new landowners took formal grants and had them recorded, so their arms are unusually well documented.
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.
Charles I of England
Sovereign of the period
Charles I of England
1625–1649
Reigning in Ireland when the Edmonston 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 Antrim.
Origin & History of the Edmonston Family in Ireland
The Edmonston family name is rooted in the history of the Scottish Borders, where it originated from the lands of Ednam in Roxburghshire. The name itself is a combination of the Old English name Eadmund and the word tun, which refers to a farmstead or settlement. By the middle of the seventeenth century, members of the family had migrated across the North Channel to settle in County Antrim, Ireland. This movement was part of a larger pattern of migration during the Plantation period, as families sought new opportunities in the neighboring territory. By 1645, the Edmonstons were well established in Antrim, where they integrated into the local community and participated in the social and economic life of the region. Their presence in Ireland during this time reflects the broader historical ties between Scotland and Ulster that shaped the demographics of the area for generations.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Eadmund
Derived from Old English elements meaning wealthy protector or prosperous guardian.
This name
EdmonstonA locational surname referring to the town of Edmund, signifying the estate of a prosperous protector.
also spelled
Edmonston
Edmonstoun
Edmonstoune
Documented Sources
Sir Bernard Burke, The General Armory of England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales, London: Harrison & Sons, 1884
Black, George Fraser. The Surnames of Scotland: Their Origin, Meaning, and History. 1946
Public Record Office of Northern Ireland. Hearth Money Rolls, County Antrim. 1669
Reid, James Seaton. History of the Presbyterian Church in Ireland. 1834
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
ringFidelity, and a promise kept
crescentHonour by the sovereign, and the second son
ringFidelity, and a promise kept
crescentHonour by the sovereign, and the second son
