Map of England showing where the Ritson arms are recorded
The Ritson arms were recorded in Buckingham, c. 1566.
Buckinghamshire was quiet farming country on the road out of London. Court officials and lawyers bought manors there within easy reach of the capital, and a manor was the usual reason to take 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.
Elizabeth I of England
Sovereign of the period
Elizabeth I of England
1558–1603
Reigning in England when the Ritson 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 Buckingham.
Origin & History of the Ritson Family in England
The surname Ritson is a patronymic name, which means it originated as a way to identify a person as the son of someone named Richard. Over time, the name Richard was shortened to the nickname Rick or Rit, and the suffix son was added to indicate family lineage. By the mid-sixteenth century, the Ritson family had established a notable presence in the town of Buckingham. Records from 1566 confirm that members of the family were living and working in this area during the reign of Queen Elizabeth I. During this period, families often settled in specific market towns where they contributed to the local economy through trade or agriculture. As the family grew, the name spread across different regions of England, evolving slightly in spelling but maintaining its clear connection to its ancestral roots.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Richard
Germanic name meaning brave or hardy ruler.
This name
RitsonPatronymic form meaning son of Richard.
also spelled
Rytsun
Ritson
Rytsonner
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
Buckinghamshire Archives, Parish Registers of Buckingham, PR 27/1/1
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.
chiefAuthority, wisdom and dominion
chevronProtection, and faithful service completed
fishA true and generous mind, and Christian faith
roundelA coin, and one who has been to the crusades
mulletThe third son, and a divine quality from above
chiefAuthority, wisdom and dominion
chevronProtection, and faithful service completed
fishA true and generous mind, and Christian faith
roundelA coin, and one who has been to the crusades
mulletThe third son, and a divine quality from above
