Map of England showing where the Rhoton arms are recorded
The Rhoton arms were recorded in England, c. 1620.
Arms such as these were typically recorded in York.
Yorkshire is the largest of the English counties, and it held more gentry families than any other. Land there was split among a great many households rather than a few, so a great many of them 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 Rhoton 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 England.
Origin & History of the Rhoton Family in England
The Rhoton family name has deep roots in Northern England, with historical records placing members of the family in the city of York as early as 1620. The name likely originated as a locational surname, which was a common way for people to identify themselves during the Middle Ages. It is believed that the name derived from a specific place name, possibly referring to a settlement near a "rothe" or a cleared piece of land. Families during this period often adopted the names of their home villages or local landmarks to distinguish themselves from others in growing urban centers like York. As these early ancestors moved through the region, they helped establish the name as a fixture of the local community, eventually passing it down through generations as they pursued trades and settled into the social fabric of seventeenth-century England.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Hrod-tun
Derived from Germanic elements meaning glorious or famous settlement or enclosure.
This name
RhotonA locational surname referring to someone who lived near a famous or renowned farmstead.
also spelled
Roiton
Documented Sources
Sir Bernard Burke, The General Armory of England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales, London: Harrison & Sons, 1884
Bardsley, Charles Wareing, A Dictionary of English and Welsh Surnames, 1901
York City Archives, York City Chamberlains' Accounts, 1620
Reaney, P.H., A Dictionary of British Surnames, 1958
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
chevronProtection, and faithful service completed
orlePreservation, and protection in battle
cross symbolChristian faith and service
wheatsheafPlenty, and the harvest of one's own labour
chevronProtection, and faithful service completed
orlePreservation, and protection in battle
cross symbolChristian faith and service
wheatsheafPlenty, and the harvest of one's own labour
