Map of England showing where the Overton arms are recorded
The Overton arms were recorded in Rutland, c. 1618.
Rutland is the smallest English county, but its land was good and its manors were held by families of standing. A small county with good land still produces its share of recorded 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 Overton 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 Rutland.
Origin & History of the Overton Family in England
The surname Overton is a topographical name, meaning it was originally used to describe people who lived near a specific landmark. In Old English, the name combines the words "ofer," meaning a riverbank or a ridge, and "tun," which refers to a settlement or an enclosure. This suggests that the earliest members of the family likely lived on the edge of a village or near a prominent slope. By the early 17th century, the family had established a notable presence in the county of Rutland. Records from 1618 confirm that the Overtons were active members of the local community during this period. As the family grew, they became deeply integrated into the social and agricultural life of the English Midlands, leaving a lasting mark on the regional history of that area.
Overton Meaning & Related Branches
Root word
ofer tun
Old English for upper or over and an enclosed settlement or farm.
This name
OvertonA habitational name referring to someone who lived at a settlement located on higher ground.
also spelled
Overtoun
Overtun
Related arms
Calveleyrecorded with Overton, same area
Glasierrecorded with Overton, same area
Ortonrecorded with Overton, same area
Sparowrecorded with Overton, same area
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
The National Archives, Kew. Records of the Prerogative Court of Canterbury, PROB 11
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