Map of England showing where the Lawton arms are recorded
The Lawton arms were recorded in Chester, c. 1620.
Cheshire was governed apart from the rest of England for much of its history, with its own courts and its own gentry. That separateness bred a strong local landed class, and landed families 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 Lawton 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 Chester.
Origin & History of the Lawton Family in England
The surname Lawton is a habitational name, which means it originated from a specific place rather than a trade or a nickname. It is derived from the Old English words "hlaw," meaning a hill or burial mound, and "tun," meaning an enclosure or settlement. This suggests that the earliest families to carry the name lived near a prominent hill or a fortified village. By the year 1620, records confirm that members of the Lawton family were well-established in the city of Chester. During this period, Chester served as a vital hub for trade and regional administration in northwest England. Families living there were often involved in the active mercantile life of the city, which helped the name spread as individuals moved through the region for business and social opportunities.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
hlaw and tun
Old English for a burial mound or hill and an enclosure.
This name
LawtonRefers to a settlement or farmstead located near a prominent hill or burial mound.
also spelled
Lawten
Lawtyn
Lawtonne
Related arms
Madocksame arms
Laytonsimilar arms
Laughtonvariant spelling
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., A Dictionary of British Surnames, 1958
Cheshire Archives and Local Studies, Chester City Guilds and Freemen Records, 16th–17th century
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fessThe military belt, and readiness to serve
cross symbolChristian faith and service
cinquefoilHope and joy
fessThe military belt, and readiness to serve
cross symbolChristian faith and service
cinquefoilHope and joy
