A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Kynaston family lines. Documented in 3 countries.
Reg. 8575 · Britain, J–L
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
chevronProtection, and faithful service completed
lionCourage, strength and royalty
Colours
ErmineMeans: Dignity
Silver (Argent)Means: Peace and sincerity
Red (Gules)Means: Military strength
Black (Sable)Means: Constancy
Historical info
Source
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Blazon (the actual original written record)
“Ec.: aux 1 et 4 d'herm. au chev. de gu. (Audley); aux 2 et 3 d'arg. au lion de sa. (Powys). C.: un bras arm., brandissant une épée devant un soleil, le tout au nat.”
ShropshireShropshire, c. 1818
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Map of Britain showing where the Kynaston arms are recorded
The Kynaston arms were recorded in Shropshire, c. 1818.
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 Britain in this period.
George III of Great Britain
Sovereign of the period
George III of Great Britain
1801–1820
Reigning in Britain when the Kynaston arms are first recorded.
How Arms Worked in Britain
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 Shropshire.
Origin & History of the Kynaston Family in Britain
The Kynaston family name is deeply rooted in the history of the English county of Shropshire, where it emerged as a locational surname. The name originates from the township of Kynaston in the parish of Kinnerley, which served as the ancestral base for the family during the medieval period. By the time records began to solidify in the early nineteenth century, the family had established a long-standing presence in this region. The name itself is derived from Old English elements that describe a settlement belonging to a person named Cyne. Over several centuries, the family evolved from local landowners into a prominent fixture of the Shropshire landscape. Their history is tied closely to the development of the Welsh Marches, where they played active roles in local administration and regional affairs. By 1818, the Kynastons were well-integrated into the social fabric of the county, reflecting a lineage that had occupied the same geographical area for generations.
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
lionCourage, strength and royalty
crescentHonour by the sovereign, and the second son
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 lion ramp. sa. armed and langued gu. a crescent charged with a mullet for diff”
Irelandc. 1645
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Map of Ireland showing where the Kynaston arms are recorded
The Kynaston arms were recorded in Ireland, c. 1645.
Arms such as these were typically recorded in Dublin.
Dublin was the seat of government in Ireland and the place where grants were sought and recorded. Families with business at the castle or the courts settled nearby, and settling there put their arms on record.
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 Ireland in this period.
Charles I of England
Sovereign of the period
Charles I of England
1625–1649
Reigning in Britain when the Kynaston arms are first recorded.
How Arms Worked in Ireland
The Ulster King of Arms granted coats of arms to individuals who proved their social standing and good character. These symbols were typically inherited by all legitimate descendants of the original holder. If a family branch wanted a unique look, they could apply for a specific change to their design through the office to ensure their identity remained distinct.
Granting authority
The Ulster King of Arms acted as the official body that regulated and issued all coats of arms throughout Ireland.
How they got arms
Families obtained their arms through formal grants issued by the office after proving their eligibility and paying the required fees.
Where arms were recorded
All official grants were recorded in the registers held by the Ulster King of Arms starting from the year 1552.
The family's standing
Recorded among the armigerous families of Ireland.
Origin & History of the Kynaston Family in Ireland
The Kynaston family name arrived in Ireland during a period of significant political and social upheaval in the seventeenth century. While the name originates from Shropshire in England, records confirm that members of the family were firmly established in Dublin by 1645. During this era, Dublin served as a central hub for administrators, merchants, and military officers who moved across the Irish Sea to manage land and trade interests. The Kynastons integrated into the local urban society, often appearing in civil and legal documents that tracked property ownership and civic duties. Their presence in the city during the mid-1600s suggests they were part of a growing network of families who helped shape the administrative life of Dublin as it transitioned through a turbulent century of Irish history.
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
chevronProtection, and faithful service completed
mulletThe third son, and a divine quality from above
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 chev. engr. betw. three mullets sa”
SalopRyton Stokes · Salop, c. 1569
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Map of England showing where the Kynaston arms are recorded
The Kynaston arms were recorded in Salop, c. 1569.
Shropshire lay on the Welsh border, and border country needed men who could fight. Families held their land in return for service, and service in arms is what a coat of arms was originally for.
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.
Elizabeth I of England
Sovereign of the period
Elizabeth I of England
1558–1603
Reigning in Britain when the Kynaston 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 Salop.
Origin & History of the Kynaston Family in England
The Kynaston family name is deeply rooted in the history of Shropshire, historically known as Salop, where the family established a significant presence by the late sixteenth century. The name itself is locative, originating from the township of Kynaston in the parish of Kinnerley. During the medieval and early modern periods, the family rose to prominence as members of the landed gentry, playing an active role in the local governance and social structure of the Welsh Marches. By 1569, the Kynastons were well-entrenched in the region, often serving in administrative capacities that helped shape the development of the county. Their influence was tied closely to the land they held, and they became a fixture of the local community through marriages and the management of large estates. This long-standing connection to the Shropshire landscape allowed the family to maintain a consistent identity across generations, securing their place in the historical record of western England.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Cynewulf
Derived from Old English elements meaning royal wolf.
This name
KynastonRefers to a settlement or town associated with a person named Cynewulf.
also spelled
Kinaston
Kyneston
Related arms
Kinastonvariant spelling
Kyneston, or Kyngestonvariant spelling
Harlstonrecorded with Kynaston, same area
Hebbornerecorded with Kynaston, same area
Documented Sources
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Baugh, G.C., A History of the County of Shropshire, 1985
Ekwall, Eilert, The Concise Oxford Dictionary of English Place-Names, 1960
chevronProtection, and faithful service completed
lionCourage, strength and royalty
chevronProtection, and faithful service completed
lionCourage, strength and royalty
crescentHonour by the sovereign, and the second son
mulletThe third son, and a divine quality from above
