Map of England showing where the Featherstone arms are recorded
The Featherstone arms were recorded in Cumberland, c. 1620.
Cumberland was rough border country in the north-west, facing Scotland across a disputed line. Its families held land in return for keeping it defended, and men who fought carried shields of their own.
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 Featherstone 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 Cumberland.
Origin & History of the Featherstone Family in England
The surname Featherstone originates from the rugged landscape of Northern England, specifically rooted in the historic county of Cumberland. The name is locational, meaning it was likely adopted by families living near a prominent stone landmark or a specific rocky outcrop that served as a local point of reference. By the early 17th century, records confirm that members of the Featherstone family were well-established residents within this region. These early ancestors lived through a time of significant border volatility between England and Scotland, which often required families to be resilient and self-reliant. As the name spread from its geographic origins, it became a marker of a lineage deeply connected to the northern countryside and the agricultural traditions of the era.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
fether-stan
Old English for feather or wing and stone or rock.
This name
FeatherstoneA locational surname referring to a place marked by a prominent or feather-shaped stone.
also spelled
Featherston
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
fessThe military belt, and readiness to serve
bordureA difference between branches of one family
escallopThe pilgrim's shell, and a long journey made
fessThe military belt, and readiness to serve
bordureA difference between branches of one family
escallopThe pilgrim's shell, and a long journey made
