A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Exton family of England.
Reg. 9099 · English, D–F
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
cross symbolChristian faith and service
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. a cross ar. betw. twelve crosses crosslet fitchée or”
EnglandLondon, c. 1386
Where the Exton Arms Were Recorded
London
Map of England showing where the Exton arms are recorded
The Exton arms were recorded in London, c. 1386.
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.
Richard II of England
Sovereign of the period
Richard II of England
1377–1399
Reigning in England when the Exton 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 England.
Origin & History of the Exton Family in England
The surname Exton is a locative name, meaning it was originally taken from a specific place rather than a trade or a personal characteristic. The name is derived from the Old English words for a farmstead or settlement located near a river, specifically the River Gwash in Rutland, England. By the late 14th century, members of the Exton family had migrated from these rural roots to the bustling center of London. Records show that individuals bearing the name were well-established in the capital by 1386, likely drawn to the city by the growing opportunities in trade and governance. As these early family members integrated into London society, they helped transition the name from a simple geographical marker into a lasting family identity that persisted through centuries of urban growth.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Eaxan
Old English river name referring to the River Exe
This name
ExtonA habitational name denoting someone who lived by the River Exe or in the town of Exton.
also spelled
Exten
Extyn
Documented Sources
Sir Bernard Burke, The General Armory of England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales, London: Harrison & Sons, 1884
Ekwall, Eilert. The Concise Oxford Dictionary of English Place-Names. 1960
Reaney, Percy Hide. A Dictionary of British Surnames. 1958
The National Archives, London. Calendar of Letter-Books of the City of London, Letter-Book H. 1375–1399
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cross symbolChristian faith and service
cross symbolChristian faith and service
