A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Harleston family of England.
Reg. 8155 · English, G–I
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
fessThe military belt, and readiness to serve
Colours
Silver (Argent)Means: Peace and sincerity
ErmineMeans: Dignity
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 fesse erm. betw. two bars gemelles (another, barrulets) sa”
EssexSouth Kendon · Essex, c. 1620
Where the Harleston Arms Were Recorded
Essex
Map of England showing where the Harleston arms are recorded
The Harleston arms were recorded in Essex, c. 1620.
Essex lay close enough to London for City money to buy land there. Merchants who prospered moved out to estates within a day's ride, and a new landowner almost always wanted arms to go with the ground.
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 Harleston 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 Essex.
Origin & History of the Harleston Family in England
The surname Harleston is a locative name, meaning it was originally derived from a specific place in England. The name is rooted in Old English, likely combining the name of an early settler with the word "tun," which refers to an enclosed settlement or farmstead. By the early 17th century, the family had established a notable presence in the county of Essex. Records from 1620 confirm that members of the Harleston family were active in this region during a period of significant social and economic change in England. As the family grew, they became part of the local fabric of Essex life, participating in the agricultural and community traditions typical of the English countryside before many families began to look toward the Atlantic for new opportunities.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Heorulf-tun
Old English elements meaning wolf army and an enclosed settlement or town.
This name
HarlestonRefers to a settlement or estate originally belonging to a person named Heorulf.
also spelled
Harlston
Related arms
Harlstonvariant spelling
Harlstonevariant spelling
Harlystonvariant spelling
Documented Sources
Sir Bernard Burke, The General Armory of England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales, London: Harrison & Sons, 1884
Reaney, P.H., A Dictionary of British Surnames, 1958
Essex Record Office, Quarter Sessions Rolls, Q/SR 230/1620
Mills, A.D., A Dictionary of English Place-Names, 1991
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
fessThe military belt, and readiness to serve
