A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Handon family of England.
Reg. 3880 · English, G–I
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
fessThe military belt, and readiness to serve
escallopThe pilgrim's shell, and a long journey made
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. a fesse embattled counter-embattled gu. betw. three escallops of the second”
Englandc. 1620
Where the Handon Arms Were Recorded
York
Map of England showing where the Handon arms are recorded
The Handon 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 Handon 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 Handon Family in England
The family name Handon carries a deep connection to the historic city of York, where records confirm members of the family were living as early as 1620. During the seventeenth century, York served as a vital northern hub for trade and administration, placing the Handon family at the center of a rapidly changing England. The name itself likely originated as a locative surname, which was a common practice at the time to identify individuals based on the specific village or geographic feature where they resided. As the family established their roots in the region, they became part of the local social fabric, navigating the challenges of the Stuart era and the shifting economic landscape of the North. By maintaining a presence in such a prominent city, early generations of the Handon family were likely involved in the local merchant guilds or the agricultural networks that supported the growth of York. Their history reflects the broader experience of families who helped build the identity of northern English communities through generations of steady work and civic participation.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Hand
A Germanic or Old English term referring to the physical hand.
This name
HandonA topographic name for someone living near a hand-shaped piece of land.
also spelled
Handin
Handon
Handyn
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
Palliser, D.M. Tudor York. 1979
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
fessThe military belt, and readiness to serve
escallopThe pilgrim's shell, and a long journey made
fessThe military belt, and readiness to serve
escallopThe pilgrim's shell, and a long journey made
