Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Blazon (the actual original written record)“D'arg. au lion de sa., cour. d'or et coll. d'une autre couronne d'or.”
A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Lamberton family lines. Documented in 3 countries.
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Blazon (the actual original written record)“D'arg. au lion de sa., cour. d'or et coll. d'une autre couronne d'or.”

The Lamberton arms were recorded in Besançon, c. 1559.
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.
In France, a coat of arms was a mark of honor that passed down through the male line to all legitimate descendants. Families often used the same shield without changes to show their shared heritage. If a branch wanted to stand out, they could add a small mark to their shield to show their specific place in the family tree.
The history of the Lamberton name in France is deeply rooted in the Franche-Comté region, specifically within the city of Besançon. By the middle of the sixteenth century, the family had established a notable presence in this area, which was then a strategic crossroads between the French kingdom and the Holy Roman Empire. The name likely evolved from Germanic roots, reflecting the cultural blending common in the borderlands of eastern France. Records from 1559 confirm that family members were active participants in the civic and social life of Besançon during a time of significant religious and political transition. As the family navigated the complexities of life in a fortified administrative center, they became part of the local fabric, contributing to the development of the region through their involvement in trade and community governance. Their early history illustrates how a family name can serve as a marker of movement and stability within the shifting borders of early modern Europe.
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. gu. betw. three Cornish choughs ppr”

The Lamberton arms were recorded in Wilts, c. 1532.
Wiltshire was sheep country, and wool made money steadily for hundreds of years. Families who made it bought manors on the downs, and holding a manor was the usual reason to take 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.
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.
The family name Lamberton has deep roots in the English landscape, with historical evidence placing members of the family in the county of Wiltshire as early as 1532. During the sixteenth century, the name was closely tied to the social and economic shifts of rural England. Families like the Lambertons often lived in small parish communities where they worked as landowners or skilled tradespeople. Because surnames were still becoming standardized during this period, the spelling of the name often changed based on how a local clerk heard it spoken. By settling in Wiltshire, the early Lambertons became part of a regional history defined by the wool trade and the growth of local market towns. Their presence in official records from this time highlights how the family established a stable life in the English countryside long before the modern era.
Sir Bernard Burke, The General Armory of England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales, London: Harrison & Sons, 1884
Blazon (the actual original written record)“Quarterly, 1st and 4th, gu. three cinquefoils pierced ar., for LAMBERT; 2nd and 3rd, ar. two chev. sa., for STAUNTON”

The Lamberton arms were recorded in Galway, c. 1630.
Galway was western Irish country of poor land and a rich port. A small group of merchant families ran the town for centuries and held estates around it, and both kinds of property 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 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.
The Lamberton family name in Ireland is deeply connected to the social and political shifts of the seventeenth century. While the name has roots in the British Isles, records confirm that members of the family were established in Galway by 1630. During this period, Galway was a bustling center of trade and commerce, often referred to as the City of the Tribes. Families like the Lambertons were part of a complex landscape where local merchants and settlers navigated the changing influence of the English Crown. As the century progressed, the family faced the challenges of the Cromwellian era and the subsequent land redistributions that altered the structure of Irish society. Their presence in Galway suggests they were likely involved in the urban life of the port city, adapting to the economic realities of a region caught between traditional Gaelic customs and colonial administration.
Derived from the Germanic elements land meaning land and beraht meaning bright.


