A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Glastenbury family of England.
Reg. 0051 · English, G–I
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
bendDefence, and the scarf of a commander
Colours
Silver (Argent)Means: Peace and sincerity
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)
“Ar. a bend lozengy sa”
DorsetDorset, c. 1620
Where the Glastenbury Arms Were Recorded
Dorset
Map of England showing where the Glastenbury arms are recorded
The Glastenbury arms were recorded in Dorset, c. 1620.
Dorset was quiet farming and grazing country along the south coast. Its gentry were middling rather than grand, but they held their manors for a very long time, and long holding is what puts a name in the records.
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 Glastenbury 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 Dorset.
Origin & History of the Glastenbury Family in England
The surname Glastenbury originates from the ancient town of Glastonbury in Somerset, England, and it functioned as a locative name for individuals who migrated from that area to other parts of the country. By the early seventeenth century, members of the family had established a notable presence in the county of Dorset. Historical records from 1620 confirm that these settlers were integrated into the local community, likely working in agriculture or trade as was common for families of that era. As these individuals moved away from their ancestral home, the name evolved from a geographic descriptor into a permanent family identifier passed down through generations. This migration pattern reflects the broader movement of English families during the Stuart period, as people sought new opportunities in neighboring counties while maintaining ties to their regional roots.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Glaston
A place where woad or glass-colored plants grow.
This name
GlastenburyRefers to a fortified place or town associated with the woad plant.
also spelled
Glastonbury
Glastonbery
Documented Sources
Sir Bernard Burke, The General Armory of England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales, London: Harrison & Sons, 1884
Dorset History Centre, Quarter Sessions Records, 1620
Reaney, P.H., A Dictionary of English Surnames, 1958
The National Archives, State Papers Domestic, James I, 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
bendDefence, and the scarf of a commander
