A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Eton family of England.
Reg. 6598 · English, D–F
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
chevronProtection, and faithful service completed
eagleNobility, strength and a keen mind
Colours
Silver (Argent)Means: Peace and sincerity
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 chev. betw. three double-headed eagles displ. gu”
ChesterStockport · Chester, c. 1620
Where the Eton Arms Were Recorded
Chester
Map of England showing where the Eton arms are recorded
The Eton arms were recorded in Chester, c. 1620.
Cheshire was governed apart from the rest of England for much of its history, with its own courts and its own gentry. That separateness bred a strong local landed class, and landed families 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 Eton 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 Chester.
Origin & History of the Eton Family in England
The family name Eton originates from a locative surname, meaning it was historically derived from the place where a family lived. In Old English, the name combines the words for river and town, suggesting that early ancestors likely resided near a significant waterway. By the year 1620, records confirm that members of the Eton family were well-established in the city of Chester. During this period, Chester served as a vital hub for trade and regional administration in Northwest England. Families living in such urban centers often played active roles in local commerce or guild organizations. As the name spread from its geographic roots, it became a way to identify people by their ancestral connection to these specific river settlements.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
aet
Old English term referring to a river or water.
This name
EtonA habitational name derived from a settlement located near a river.
Related arms
Eatonsame arms
Eytonvariant spelling
Elcockerecorded with Eton, same area
Stopfordrecorded with Eton, same area
Documented Sources
Sir Bernard Burke, The General Armory of England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales, London: Harrison & Sons, 1884
Reaney, P.H. and Wilson, R.M., A Dictionary of English Surnames, 1991
Cheshire Archives and Local Studies, Bishop's Transcripts for the Diocese of Chester, 1620
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
eagleNobility, strength and a keen mind
chevronProtection, and faithful service completed
eagleNobility, strength and a keen mind
