Map of England showing where the Latson arms are recorded
The Latson 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 Latson 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 Latson Family in England
The surname Latson is a localized variation of the name Latus, which originated in the northern regions of England. Historical records confirm that members of the family were established in York by 1620, a period when the city served as a vital administrative and cultural hub. The name likely functioned as a topographic descriptor, identifying individuals who lived near a specific landmark or a broad expanse of land. As families settled into the urban environment of York, the spelling of their name evolved to reflect local pronunciation and regional dialects. These early generations were part of the growing merchant and artisan classes that defined the social fabric of seventeenth-century Yorkshire. By maintaining a consistent presence in the area, the family became deeply woven into the local history of the region during a time of significant social change.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Latt
A Middle English term referring to a lath or thin strip.
This name
LatsonA patronymic surname indicating the son of a person who worked with laths.
also spelled
Layton
Laughton
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
York City Archives, York City Chamberlains' Account Rolls, 1620
Reaney, Percy Hide, A Dictionary of British Surnames, 1958
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
lozengeHonour and nobility, and the arms of a woman
fessThe military belt, and readiness to serve
lozengeHonour and nobility, and the arms of a woman
