Map of England showing where the Ettelson arms are recorded
The Ettelson 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 Ettelson 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 Ettelson Family in England
The family name Ettelson is a patronymic surname, which means it originated as a way to identify a person as the son of someone named Ettel. The name Ettel itself is a diminutive form of names like Ethel, which carries roots in Old English meaning noble. By the year 1620, records confirm that members of the Ettelson family were established in the city of Chester, England. During this period, Chester was a vital hub for trade and regional administration, placing the family in a central location during a time of significant social and economic change. As the family grew, they likely integrated into the local merchant or artisan classes that defined the city’s character. This early presence in such a historic urban center suggests that the family was part of the steady development of English society during the early seventeenth century.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Ethel
Old English element meaning noble or of noble birth.
This name
EttelsonPatronymic surname meaning son of the noble one.
also spelled
Ethelstan
Documented Sources
Sir Bernard Burke, The General Armory of England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales, London: Harrison & Sons, 1884
Bardsley, Charles Wareing, A Dictionary of English and Welsh Surnames, 1901
Cheshire Archives and Local Studies, Chester City Parish Registers, 1620
Reaney, P.H., A Dictionary of British Surnames, 1958
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
pileWell-doing, and a mark of distinction
cross symbolChristian faith and service
eagleNobility, strength and a keen mind
pileWell-doing, and a mark of distinction
cross symbolChristian faith and service
eagleNobility, strength and a keen mind
