A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Funston family of England.
Reg. 8429 · English, D–F
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
cross symbolChristian faith and service
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. five crosses pattée in saltire gu”
EnglandWymondham, c. 1620
Where the Funston Arms Were Recorded
York
Map of England showing where the Funston arms are recorded
The Funston arms were recorded in Wymondham, 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 England when the Funston 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 Funston Family in England
The Funston family name has deep roots in the historic city of York, where records confirm members of the family were living as early as 1620. During this period, York was a bustling center of trade and religious activity, and families like the Funstons were often integrated into the local craft and merchant guilds that defined the city’s economy. The name itself is thought to have evolved from early English place names or occupational descriptions common in Northern England. As the 17th century progressed, the family became part of the broader social fabric of Yorkshire, participating in the daily life of a region undergoing significant political and religious change. By maintaining a presence in such a prominent administrative hub, early Funstons were well-positioned to witness the transformation of England during a time of great national transition.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Funtun
Old English for a town or settlement located near a spring.
This name
FunstonA habitational name referring to someone who lived at a settlement by a fountain or spring.
also spelled
Funstoun
Funsten
Related arms
Agasrecorded with Funston, same area
Berkeleyrecorded with Funston, same area
Dixonrecorded with Funston, same area
Gulstonrecorded with Funston, same area
Documented Sources
Sir Bernard Burke, The General Armory of England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales, London: Harrison & Sons, 1884
Baines, Edward. History, Directory and Gazetteer of the County of York. 1822
York City Archives, York Freemen’s Register, 1600–1650
York Minster Library, Parish Registers of York, 1620
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cross symbolChristian faith and service
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