A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Forton family lines. Documented in 2 countries.
Reg. 6380 · French, D–F
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
columnFortitude and constancy
Colours
Blue (Azure)Means: Loyalty and truth
Silver (Argent)Means: Peace and sincerity
Historical info
Source
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Blazon (the actual original written record)
“D'azur à deux colonnes accostées d'arg. D.: FIDELITAS ET JUSTITIA.”
LanguedocLanguedoc, c. 1817
Where the Forton Arms Were Recorded
Languedoc
Map of France showing where the Forton arms are recorded
The Forton arms were recorded in Languedoc, c. 1817.
Languedoc stretched across the south of France, a country of small towns, vineyards and old local families. Its gentry were numerous rather than grand, and a great many of them held arms even where their estates were modest.
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 France in this period.
How Arms Worked in France
In France, a coat of arms was a mark of honor that passed down through the male line to all legitimate descendants. Families often used the same shield without changes to show their shared heritage. If a branch wanted to stand out, they could add a small mark to their shield to show their specific place in the family tree.
Granting authority
The Juge d'armes de France acted as the official authority that regulated and verified coats of arms across the country.
How they got arms
Families typically inherited their arms from ancestors, though they could also receive them through royal grants or by proving their noble status.
Where arms were recorded
Coats of arms were officially recorded in the Armorial Général de France, which began its main collection in the year 1696.
The family's standing
Recorded among the armigerous families of Languedoc.
Origin & History of the Forton Family in France
The surname Forton finds its historical roots in the southern regions of France, particularly within the Languedoc area. The name is derived from the Old French word "fort," which suggests that the earliest family members were likely associated with fortified locations or lived near a stronghold. By the early nineteenth century, the family was well-established in the social and administrative fabric of Languedoc, a region known for its unique cultural identity and complex history of land ownership. During this era, the family members were often documented in local civil records as they participated in the agricultural and professional life of their communities. These early records indicate that the Fortons were deeply integrated into the rural landscape, maintaining strong ties to the land and the local governance of their towns. As the family grew, they remained a consistent presence in the region, reflecting the broader patterns of migration and settlement that defined the French countryside during the post-revolutionary period.
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Colours
Gold (Or)Means: Generosity
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)
“Gyronny of eight or and gu”
Englandc. 1620
Where the Forton Arms Were Recorded
York
Map of England showing where the Forton arms are recorded
The Forton arms were recorded in England, c. 1620.
Arms such as these were typically recorded in York.
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 France when the Forton 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 Forton Family in England
The surname Forton is rooted in the landscape of medieval England, where it likely originated as a locative name for people living near a specific settlement or geographic feature. By the early 17th century, the family had established a notable presence in the historic city of York. Records confirm that members of the Forton family were living in this northern hub by 1620, a time when York served as a vital center for trade, religion, and regional administration. During this period, families often moved to cities like York to take advantage of the growing merchant class and the stability provided by the local parish systems. As the family settled into urban life, they became part of the social fabric of the city, contributing to the local community through their work and daily interactions. This early residency in York highlights the family's integration into the evolving society of Northern England during the transition from the Elizabethan era to the Stuart period.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Fortis
Latin term meaning strong, brave, or powerful.
This name
FortonA locative or descriptive surname denoting someone who is strong or lives near a fortification.
also spelled
Fortonn
Fortun
Forten
Fourtone
Documented Sources
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Archives départementales de l'Hérault, État civil de la commune de Montpellier (1817)
Dauzat, Albert, Dictionnaire étymologique des noms et prénoms de France, 1951
Morlet, Marie-Thérèse, Dictionnaire étymologique des noms de famille, 1991
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
columnFortitude and constancy
columnFortitude and constancy
