Map of England showing where the Horton arms are recorded
The Horton arms were recorded in York, c. 1620.
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 Horton 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 York.
Origin & History of the Horton Family in England
The surname Horton is a locational name that originated in England long before the seventeenth century. It is derived from the Old English words "horu," meaning dirt or muddy land, and "tun," meaning an enclosed settlement or village. This suggests that the earliest people to carry the name were residents of a farm or hamlet situated on damp or silty soil. While the name appeared in various regions across the country, families bearing this title were well-established in the city of York by 1620. During this period, York served as a vital northern hub for trade and administration, and families like the Hortons were often integrated into the local merchant classes or skilled trades. By settling in such a prominent urban center, these early ancestors helped solidify the name within the social fabric of northern England, moving away from their rural origins to participate in the growing civic life of the city.
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
Black (Sable)Means: Constancy
Gold (Or)Means: Generosity
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)
“Sa. three bends engr. a canton or”
Walesc. 1647
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
Map of Wales showing where the Horton arms are recorded
The Horton arms were recorded in Wales, c. 1647.
Arms such as these were typically recorded in Denbigh.
Denbighshire was north Welsh country of hills and small estates. Land was held by a great many families rather than a few, and each holding brought its own claim to a coat of 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 Wales in this period.
Charles I of England
Sovereign of the period
Charles I of England
1625–1649
Reigning in England when the Horton arms are first recorded.
How Arms Worked in Wales
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 Wales.
Origin & History of the Horton Family in Wales
The name Horton originates from Old English roots, meaning a settlement located on muddy or dirty land. While the name is English in origin, it became established in Wales through the movement of families across the border and the integration of English settlers into local Welsh society. By the mid-seventeenth century, the Horton family had firmly planted roots in Denbigh, a historic market town in North Wales. Records from 1647 show that members of the family were active participants in the local community during a time of great political upheaval in Britain. Living in a strategic town like Denbigh, which featured a prominent castle and served as a center for trade, these early Hortons likely navigated the complex social and economic shifts of the era. Their presence in this region highlights how families often moved between England and Wales, eventually becoming part of the local Welsh landscape over several generations.
Horton Meaning & Related Branches
Root word
horu and tun
Old English for muddy soil and an enclosed settlement or farm.
This name
HortonA habitational name referring to a settlement located on muddy or dirty ground.
also spelled
Hortoun
Related arms
Ashtonrecorded with Horton, same area
Berryrecorded with Horton, same area
Radclifferecorded with Horton, same area
Documented Sources
Sir Bernard Burke, The General Armory of England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales, London: Harrison & Sons, 1884
Ekwall, Eilert. The Concise Oxford Dictionary of English Place-names. 1960
Reaney, P.H. and Wilson, R.M. A Dictionary of English Surnames. 1991
Borthwick Institute for Archives, University of York. Archbishop of York Diocesan Records
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
lionCourage, strength and royalty
lionCourage, strength and royalty
bendDefence, and the scarf of a commander
cantonA mark of honour granted by the sovereign
