A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Ormeston family lines. Documented in 2 countries.
Reg. 2512 · English, M–O
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
chevronProtection, and faithful service completed
bordureA difference between branches of one family
arms pheon arrowheadReadiness for battle, and the broad arrow of the sovereign
Colours
Black (Sable)Means: Constancy
Silver (Argent)Means: Peace and sincerity
Red (Gules)Means: Military strength
What the shield shows
Source
Sir Bernard Burke, The General Armory of England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales, London: Harrison & Sons, 1884
Blazon (the actual original written record)
“Sa. a chev. betw. three spearheads ar. a border gu”
EssexEssex, c. 1620
Where the Ormeston Arms Were Recorded
Essex
Map of England showing where the Ormeston arms are recorded
The Ormeston arms were recorded in Essex, c. 1620.
Essex lay close enough to London for City money to buy land there. Merchants who prospered moved out to estates within a day's ride, and a new landowner almost always wanted arms to go with the ground.
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 Ormeston 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 Essex.
Origin & History of the Ormeston Family in England
The name Ormeston traces its roots to the English landscape, where it emerged as a locational surname. Families bearing this name likely took it from a specific settlement or manor, linking their identity to the land they inhabited. By the year 1620, records confirm that members of the Ormeston family were firmly established in the county of Essex. During this period, families often lived in small rural communities, working the soil and contributing to the local economy.
These early settlers were part of a changing England, navigating the social shifts of the seventeenth century. Their presence in Essex suggests they were integrated into the regional fabric of the time. Through their daily labor and community ties, they helped shape the local history of the area.
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
pelicanSelf-sacrifice and devotion to one's children
Colours
Silver (Argent)Means: Peace and sincerity
Red (Gules)Means: Military strength
What the shield shows
Source
Sir Bernard Burke, The General Armory of England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales, London: Harrison & Sons, 1884
Blazon (the actual original written record)
“Ar. three pelicans vulning themselves gu”
HaddingtonHaddington, c. 1748
Where the Ormeston Arms Were Recorded
Haddington
Map of Scotland showing where the Ormeston arms are recorded
The Ormeston arms were recorded in Haddington, c. 1748.
Haddington, now East Lothian, was the best farmland in Scotland and lay close to Edinburgh. Good land near the capital stayed in the hands of families of standing, and standing brought 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 Scotland in this period.
George II of Great Britain
Sovereign of the period
George II of Great Britain
1727–1760
Reigning in England when the Ormeston arms are first recorded.
How Arms Worked in Scotland
Scottish heraldry is unique because it treats a coat of arms as a piece of personal property protected by law. Only one person can own a specific design at any given time. When a family grows, the head keeps the original shield while other relatives must apply for their own distinct version with slight changes to prove their specific identity.
Granting authority
The Court of the Lord Lyon acts as the official body that regulates and controls all heraldic matters throughout Scotland.
How they got arms
Individuals obtain a legal right to their arms through a formal petition process that confirms their identity and family connection.
Where arms were recorded
All valid coats of arms are officially entered into the Public Register of All Arms and Bearings starting from 1672.
The family's standing
Recorded among the armigerous families of Haddington.
Origin & History of the Ormeston Family in Scotland
The name Ormeston traces its roots to the historic county of East Lothian in Scotland. The family name is linked to the lands of Ormiston, a village with a deep agricultural and religious heritage. By the mid-eighteenth century, records confirm that family members were firmly established in the town of Haddington. This area was a vital hub for trade and local governance during the 1700s.
Living in Haddington allowed the family to participate in the growing prosperity of the Scottish Lowlands. They likely contributed to the local economy through farming or skilled craft work. Their presence in these official registers highlights a long history of stability within the region. Today, the name remains a testament to their enduring Scottish ancestry.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Ormr-tun
Old Norse for serpent or dragon combined with an enclosure or farmstead.
This name
OrmestonRefers to a farmstead or settlement associated with a person named Ormr.
also spelled
Ormiston
Related arms
Ormistonvariant spelling
Hyderecorded with Ormeston, same area
Documented Sources
Sir Bernard Burke, The General Armory of England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales, London: Harrison & Sons, 1884
Reaney, P.H., A Dictionary of British Surnames, 1958
Essex Record Office, Quarter Sessions Rolls, 1620
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chevronProtection, and faithful service completed
bordureA difference between branches of one family
arms pheon arrowheadReadiness for battle, and the broad arrow of the sovereign
chevronProtection, and faithful service completed
bordureA difference between branches of one family
arms pheon arrowheadReadiness for battle, and the broad arrow of the sovereign
pelicanSelf-sacrifice and devotion to one's children
