A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Etherington family lines. Documented in 2 countries.
Reg. 1764 · Britain, D–F
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
lionCourage, strength and royalty
Colours
Silver (Argent)Means: Peace and sincerity
Black (Sable)Means: Constancy
Historical info
Source
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Blazon (the actual original written record)
“Parti d'arg. et de sa.; à trois lions, 2 et 1, les deux du chef de l'un à l'autre, celui en p. de l'un en l'autre. C.: une tour, masurée à sen., les créneaux supp. une tête de léopard, le tout au nat.”
YorkshireYorkshire, c. 1700
Where the Etherington Arms Were Recorded
Yorkshire
Map of Britain showing where the Etherington arms are recorded
The Etherington arms were recorded in Yorkshire, c. 1700.
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 Britain in this period.
William III of England
Sovereign of the period
William III of England
1694–1702
Reigning in Britain when the Etherington arms are first recorded.
How Arms Worked in Britain
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 Yorkshire.
Origin & History of the Etherington Family in Britain
The surname Etherington is rooted in the ancient landscape of Northern England, specifically within the historic county of Yorkshire. The name is locative in origin, meaning it was likely derived from a specific place or settlement known as Etherington, which translates from Old English to describe an enclosed farmstead or estate belonging to a person named Aethelred. By the year 1700, the family had established a firm presence in the Yorkshire region, where they lived as part of the local agricultural and merchant communities. During this period, the family name began to appear more frequently in parish registers and local administrative documents as the population became more mobile and record-keeping became more standardized. These early Etheringtons were part of the backbone of rural English society, contributing to the development of the northern shires through farming, trade, and local governance. Their history reflects the broader movement of families who settled in the fertile valleys of Yorkshire and helped shape the identity of the region over several generations.
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
paleMilitary strength, and a fortified defence
lionCourage, strength and royalty
Colours
Silver (Argent)Means: Peace and sincerity
Black (Sable)Means: Constancy
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)
“Per pale ar. and sa. three lions ramp. counterchanged”
YorkGreat Driffing · York, c. 1620
Where the Etherington Arms Were Recorded
York
Map of England showing where the Etherington arms are recorded
The Etherington arms were recorded in York, c. 1620.
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 Britain when the Etherington 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 York.
Origin & History of the Etherington Family in England
The surname Etherington is rooted in the landscape of Northern England, specifically within the historic county of Yorkshire. The name is locative in origin, meaning it was likely adopted by individuals who lived in or near a specific settlement known as Etherington. While the exact location of this original site has faded from modern maps, the family established a firm presence in the city of York by the early 17th century. By 1620, records show that members of the Etherington family were active participants in the social and economic life of this bustling cathedral city. During this period, York served as a vital regional hub for trade and administration, providing a stable environment for families to grow and integrate into the local community. Through these early residents, the name became woven into the fabric of Yorkshire history, reflecting the migration patterns and settlement trends of families moving within the northern shires during the Stuart era.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Eadhere
Old English elements meaning prosperous or wealthy and army or warrior.
This name
EtheringtonDerived from a place name meaning the farmstead or settlement of Eadhere's people.
also spelled
Etheringtone
Therington
Ethering
Etheringtons
Etheringten
Related arms
Pultisonsame arms
Robinsonrecorded with Etherington, same area
Wakefieldrecorded with Etherington, same area
Willanrecorded with Etherington, same area
Documented Sources
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Bardsley, Charles Wareing, A Dictionary of English and Welsh Surnames, 1901
Reaney, P.H., A Dictionary of British Surnames, 1958
The National Archives, Parish Registers of Yorkshire, various dates
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lionCourage, strength and royalty
lionCourage, strength and royalty
paleMilitary strength, and a fortified defence
