Map of England showing where the Starrett arms are recorded
The Starrett 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 Starrett 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 Starrett Family in England
The Starrett family name is believed to have roots in the northern regions of England and the Scottish Lowlands, where it likely functioned as a descriptive surname for people living near prominent landmarks or stars. By the year 1620, records confirm that members of the family were established in York, England. During this period, the family was part of the growing merchant and artisan classes that helped define the city’s economy. As the seventeenth century progressed, many individuals bearing the name began to migrate, moving from these northern English hubs into Ireland and eventually across the Atlantic to North America. This movement was often driven by the search for new land and the desire to escape the social and religious tensions that marked life in Britain at the time. The early history of the Starrett name is defined by this transition from local English roots to a broader presence in the colonial world.
Starrett Meaning & Related Branches
Root word
stert
Old English term for a tail or a projecting piece of land.
This name
StarrettAn occupational name for someone who lived on a tail-shaped piece of land.
also spelled
Stratton
Straton
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, P.H. and Wilson, R.M., A Dictionary of English Surnames, 1991
York City Archives, York City Chamberlains' Accounts, 1620
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
bendDefence, and the scarf of a commander
