Map of France showing where the Paton arms are recorded
The Paton arms were recorded in Lorraine, c. 1565.
Lorraine sat on the border between France and the German lands, and border country bred soldiers. Families here held small estates and served in arms, and a fighting man was exactly the sort who carried a shield of his own.
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 France in this period.
Charles IX of France
Sovereign of the period
Charles IX of France
1560–1574
Reigning in France when the Paton arms are first recorded.
How Arms Worked in France
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.
Granting authority
The Juge d'armes de France acted as the official authority that regulated and verified coats of arms across the country.
How they got arms
Families typically inherited their arms from ancestors, though they could also receive them through royal grants or by proving their noble status.
Where arms were recorded
Coats of arms were officially recorded in the Armorial Général de France, which began its main collection in the year 1696.
The family's standing
Recorded among the armigerous families of Lorraine.
Origin & History of the Paton Family in France
The history of the Paton family in France is deeply rooted in the historical region of Lorraine. By the year 1565, records confirm that members of the family were already established within this territory. During the sixteenth century, Lorraine served as a vital crossroads between the French kingdom and the Holy Roman Empire. This location meant that families living there often navigated complex political shifts and religious changes. The name itself likely originated as a diminutive form of the name Patrick, which was a common practice for creating nicknames in medieval Europe. As the family grew in Lorraine, they became part of the local social fabric during a time of significant cultural development in eastern France. Their presence in this region highlights the movement of families across European borders long before modern nations were clearly defined.
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
swordJustice, and military honour
crescentHonour by the sovereign, and the second son
Colours
Blue (Azure)Means: Loyalty and truth
Silver (Argent)Means: Peace and sincerity
Historical info
Source
Sir Bernard Burke, The General Armory of England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales, London: Harrison & Sons, 1884
Blazon (the actual original written record)
“Az. a sword in pale ar. hilted and pommelled or, betw. three crescents of the second”
AberdeenKinaldy · Aberdeen, c. 1748
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Map of Scotland showing where the Paton arms are recorded
The Paton arms were recorded in Aberdeen, c. 1748.
Aberdeen was a granite trading town on the north-east coast with farming country behind it. Merchants who prospered bought estates inland, and buying an estate was what brought a family its 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 France when the Paton 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 Aberdeen.
Origin & History of the Paton Family in Scotland
The surname Paton is a diminutive form of the name Patrick, which was a popular choice in Scotland due to the influence of Saint Patrick. By the mid-eighteenth century, the name was well-established in the northeast of Scotland, particularly within the bustling port city of Aberdeen. Families bearing this name during the 1740s were often integrated into the local merchant and craft guilds that defined the city’s economy. Because Aberdeen served as a vital hub for trade with Northern Europe, individuals named Paton were frequently involved in the exchange of goods like wool and grain. This period was a time of significant social change in Scotland, and the Paton family records from Aberdeen reflect the transition from traditional rural life to the growing urban industries of the era. These early residents helped shape the community identity of the region by participating in local government and the expanding maritime sectors of the North Sea coast.
Paton Meaning & Related Branches
Root word
Patricius
Latin term meaning noble or belonging to the patrician class.
This name
PatonA diminutive form of Patrick, historically used as a patronymic surname indicating son of Patrick.
also spelled
Patone
Patoun
Related arms
Paytonvariant spelling
Peitonvariant spelling
Purvisrecorded with Paton, same area
Documented Sources
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Bastien, Henri. Histoire de la Lorraine. 1970
Larchey, Lorédan. Dictionnaire des noms. 1880
Archives départementales de Meurthe-et-Moselle, Série B: Cours et juridictions
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
chiefAuthority, wisdom and dominion
roseThe seventh son, and beauty with grace
pawStrength held ready, the beast's power in a single limb
chiefAuthority, wisdom and dominion
roseThe seventh son, and beauty with grace
pawStrength held ready, the beast's power in a single limb
swordJustice, and military honour
crescentHonour by the sovereign, and the second son
