Map of England showing where the Wathen arms are recorded
The Wathen arms were recorded in Westmorland, c. 1620.
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 Wathen 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 Westmorland.
Origin & History of the Wathen Family in England
The surname Wathen is believed to have originated as a patronymic name, which means it was derived from the given name of a father or ancestor. Etymologists often trace the root of the name to the Old English name Wat, a common nickname for Walter, combined with the suffix "in" or "kin," which served as a term of endearment meaning "little." By the early 17th century, the family had established a notable presence in the county of Westmorland in Northern England. During this period, the region was characterized by small agricultural communities and rugged landscapes, where families like the Wathens lived as yeomen or local landowners. These early records from 1620 suggest that the family was well-integrated into the social and economic life of the English borderlands long before the name spread to other parts of the country.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Walter
Germanic name meaning rule or power of the army.
This name
WathenA diminutive form of the name Walter, historically signifying a descendant or son of Walter.
also spelled
Wattan
Watton
Watin
Documented Sources
Sir Bernard Burke, The General Armory of England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales, London: Harrison & Sons, 1884
Reaney, P.H. and Wilson, R.M., A Dictionary of English Surnames, 1997
saltireResolution, and St Andrew's cross
saltireResolution, and St Andrew's cross
