A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Ruston family of England.
Reg. 8871 · English, P–S
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
saltireResolution, and St Andrew's cross
cross symbolChristian faith and service
millrind / fer de molineThe mill's iron, and the grinding of grain
plant quatrefoilGood fortune and the fourfold gospel
Colours
Silver (Argent)Means: Peace and sincerity
Blue (Azure)Means: Loyalty and truth
Black (Sable)Means: Constancy
Red (Gules)Means: Military strength
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)
“Ar. a cress az. quarter pierced of the field, thereon a fer-de-moline sa. betw. four quatrefoils gu.; another, Ar. a saltire betw. four crosses crosslet fitchée sa”
Englandc. 1620
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Map of England showing where the Ruston arms are recorded
The Ruston 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 Ruston 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 Ruston Family in England
The family name Ruston is a topographic surname that originated in England during the Middle Ages. It is derived from the Old English words for a settlement or a farmstead located near a place where rust-colored earth or iron deposits were found. By the year 1620, historical records confirm that members of the Ruston family were firmly established in the city of York. During this period, York served as a vital northern hub for trade and administration, suggesting that early ancestors were likely involved in the local merchant guilds or the agricultural commerce that supported the city. As the family grew, they became part of the social fabric of Yorkshire, contributing to the local economy and the development of the region throughout the seventeenth century.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Rust
A reference to the color red or reddish-brown hair.
This name
RustonDerived from a place name meaning a settlement located near a red-colored area or stream.
also spelled
Ruston
Rustin
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
Reaney, Percy Hide, A Dictionary of British Surnames, 1958
Borthwick Institute for Archives, York Diocesan Probate Records, 1620
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
saltireResolution, and St Andrew's cross
cross symbolChristian faith and service
millrind / fer de molineThe mill's iron, and the grinding of grain
plant quatrefoilGood fortune and the fourfold gospel
saltireResolution, and St Andrew's cross
cross symbolChristian faith and service
millrind / fer de molineThe mill's iron, and the grinding of grain
plant quatrefoilGood fortune and the fourfold gospel
