A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Galton family of England.
Reg. 8143 · English, G–I
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
bendDefence, and the scarf of a commander
cantonA mark of honour granted by the sovereign
Colours
ErmineMeans: Dignity
Red (Gules)Means: Military strength
Black (Sable)Means: Constancy
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)
“Erm. a bend gu. a canton sa”
Englandc. 1620
Where the Galton Arms Were Recorded
York
Map of England showing where the Galton arms are recorded
The Galton 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 England when the Galton 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 Galton Family in England
The surname Galton is rooted in the landscape of medieval England, likely originating as a locative name for someone who lived near a specific town or farmstead. The name is generally thought to derive from Old English elements, possibly referring to a settlement associated with a person named Galt or a location defined by a specific type of enclosure. By the early 17th century, the family had established a clear presence in the historic city of York. Records confirm that members of the Galton family were living there by 1620, a time when the city served as a vital northern hub for trade and administration. During this period, families like the Galtons were often integrated into the local merchant or artisan classes, contributing to the steady growth of the city’s civic life. Their presence in York suggests that they were settled members of the community long before the industrial shifts of later centuries transformed the region.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Gaeltun
Old English elements meaning settlement or enclosure belonging to a stranger.
This name
GaltonRefers to a person who lived in a settlement inhabited by foreigners or outsiders.
also spelled
Gaulton
Galten
Galstone
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
Reaney, Percy Hide, A Dictionary of British Surnames, 1958
Borthwick Institute for Archives, York Diocesan Probate Records, 1620
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
bendDefence, and the scarf of a commander
cantonA mark of honour granted by the sovereign
bendDefence, and the scarf of a commander
cantonA mark of honour granted by the sovereign
