Map of England showing where the Pointon arms are recorded
The Pointon arms were recorded in Devon, c. 1620.
Devon was a county of small manors and seafaring families. Its gentry were spread thickly across the countryside, and money made at sea often bought an estate, which in turn brought a coat of 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 Pointon 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 Devon.
Origin & History of the Pointon Family in England
The surname Pointon is a locative name, meaning it was originally adopted by families living near a specific place or village. While the name is often associated with the village of Pointon in Lincolnshire, the family established a notable presence in the county of Devon by 1620. During this period, the movement of families across England was often driven by the search for agricultural opportunities or the growth of local trade networks. As these early ancestors settled in the Devon region, they became part of the local social fabric, contributing to the rural economy and community life of the seventeenth century. Over generations, the name was passed down through families who lived as farmers, craftsmen, and laborers, helping to anchor the Pointon name within the history of the English West Country.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Poinçon
Old French term for a sharp point, punch, or piercing tool.
This name
PointonA habitational name for someone living near a pointed hill or a nickname for a metalworker.
also spelled
Pointon
Poyntington
Poynton
Documented Sources
Sir Bernard Burke, The General Armory of England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales, London: Harrison & Sons, 1884
Reaney, P.H., A Dictionary of English Surnames, 1991
Bardsley, Charles Wareing, A Dictionary of English and Welsh Surnames, 1901
The National Archives, Prerogative Court of Canterbury and related Probate Jurisdictions: Will Registers, 1384-1858
Devon Archives and Local Studies Service, Parish Registers of Devon, 1538-1900
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
bendDefence, and the scarf of a commander
fleur de lisPurity, light, and the sixth son
bendDefence, and the scarf of a commander
fleur de lisPurity, light, and the sixth son
