A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Elletson family of England.
Reg. 4095 · English, D–F
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
chevronProtection, and faithful service completed
griffinValour and vigilance, guarding great treasure
martletA younger son, who must win his own land
Colours
Blue (Azure)Means: Loyalty and truth
Silver (Argent)Means: Peace and sincerity
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)
“Az. on a chev. embattled ar. betw. three griffins' heads erased or, as many martlets of the field”
LancasterParrox Hall · Lancaster, c. 1620
Where the Elletson Arms Were Recorded
Lancaster
Map of England showing where the Elletson arms are recorded
The Elletson arms were recorded in Lancaster, c. 1620.
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.
James VI and I
Sovereign of the period
James VI and I
1603–1625
Reigning in England when the Elletson 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 Elletson Family in England
The family name Elletson has deep roots in the historic county of Lancashire, England, where members of the family were firmly established by the early 17th century. The name is considered a patronymic, which means it likely originated as a way to identify a person as the son of a man named Ellet or Ellot. During the 1620s, records show that the family was active in the social and economic life of the Lancaster region. At this time, the area was a center for trade and agriculture, and families like the Elletsons were often involved in the local parish communities. By settling in this specific part of Northwest England, the early Elletsons became part of a long tradition of families who helped shape the local culture and history of the town. Over the following generations, the name remained closely tied to the geography of Lancashire, reflecting the stable and localized nature of family life in rural England during the Stuart period.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Elias
The Lord is my God derived from Hebrew origins.
This name
ElletsonA patronymic surname meaning son of Ellis or son of Elias.
also spelled
Elitson
Elotson
Documented Sources
Sir Bernard Burke, The General Armory of England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales, London: Harrison & Sons, 1884
Farrer, William and Brownbill, John, The Victoria History of the County of Lancaster, 1906
Lancashire Archives, Lancaster Parish Church Records, PR 3052
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
chevronProtection, and faithful service completed
griffinValour and vigilance, guarding great treasure
martletA younger son, who must win his own land
chevronProtection, and faithful service completed
griffinValour and vigilance, guarding great treasure
martletA younger son, who must win his own land
