A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Holton family of England.
Reg. 2405 · English, G–I
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
lionCourage, strength and royalty
Colours
Blue (Azure)Means: Loyalty and truth
Red (Gules)Means: Military strength
Silver (Argent)Means: Peace and sincerity
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)
“Quarterly, az. and gu. a lion ramp. ar”
Englandc. 1620
Where the Holton Arms Were Recorded
York
Map of England showing where the Holton arms are recorded
The Holton 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 Holton 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 Holton Family in England
The surname Holton originated in England as a locational name, meaning it was first used to identify people who lived near a specific town or village. The name is derived from the Old English words "hol," meaning a hollow or a valley, and "tun," which refers to an enclosed settlement or farmstead. By the year 1620, records confirm that members of the Holton family were well established in the historic city of York. During this period, families often moved from rural farming communities into growing urban centers to pursue new trades and economic opportunities. As the family became part of the local community in York, they likely contributed to the city's vibrant history as a center for commerce and regional governance. Over time, the name spread across the country and eventually to new territories, but its roots remain firmly tied to the geography of the English landscape.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Holt and Tun
A wooded hill or grove and an enclosed settlement or town.
This name
HoltonRefers to a person who lived in a settlement located near a wood.
also spelled
Holten
Holtoun
Holtane
Related arms
Houltonvariant spelling
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
Ekwall, Eilert, The Concise Oxford Dictionary of English Place-names, 1960
York City Archives, York City Chamberlains' Accounts, 1620
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lionCourage, strength and royalty
lionCourage, strength and royalty
