Map of England showing where the Salter arms are recorded
The Salter arms were recorded in Buckingham, c. 1620.
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.
James VI and I
Sovereign of the period
James VI and I
1603–1625
Reigning in England when the Salter 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 Salter Family in England
The surname Salter is an occupational name that originated in medieval England to describe a person who worked with salt. During the Middle Ages, salt was a precious commodity used for preserving food, and those who produced, transported, or sold it were essential members of the community. By the time members of the family were documented in Buckingham in 1620, the name had been established for several generations. Families with this name were often found in market towns or near coastal areas where salt production was common. As the family settled in Buckingham, they likely integrated into the local economy as tradespeople or landowners. Over time, the name became a permanent fixture in the region, reflecting a history rooted in the practical and vital work of the salt trade.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
sal
Latin term for salt
This name
SalterAn occupational name for a person who produced, sold, or transported salt.
also spelled
Sauter
Related arms
Saltirevariant spelling
Saltrenrecorded with Salter, same area
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, 1958
Buckinghamshire Archives, Parish Registers of Buckingham, PR 29/1/1
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
bordureA difference between branches of one family
billetThe sealed letter, and a message delivered
bordureA difference between branches of one family
billetThe sealed letter, and a message delivered
