Map of England showing where the Whittington arms are recorded
The Whittington arms were recorded in Derby, c. 1329.
Derbyshire had lead mines in its hills and good grazing in its valleys. Both made steady money, and families who made it bought manors, which is what put their names into the heraldic records.
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.
Edward III of England
Sovereign of the period
Edward III of England
1327–1377
Reigning in England when the Whittington 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 Derby.
Origin & History of the Whittington Family in England
The surname Whittington is a locative name, meaning it was originally taken from a place name to identify where a person lived or came from. In Old English, the name translates to the settlement of Hwita’s people, referring to a group led by an individual named Hwita. By the year 1329, records confirm that members of the Whittington family were established in Derby, England. During this period, families often moved from small rural villages to growing market towns to seek new economic opportunities in trade or craft. As these individuals settled in Derby, their place of origin became their permanent surname, helping to distinguish them from others in the local community. This transition from a geographical identifier to a hereditary family name was a common practice in medieval England as populations became more mobile and record-keeping became more formal.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Hwita-tun
Old English for white or fair settlement or enclosure.
This name
WhittingtonRefers to a person originating from a white-colored farmstead or village.
also spelled
Wittington
Whytington
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, 1991
The National Archives, Court of Common Pleas: Plea Rolls, CP 40/277 (1329)
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
cross symbolChristian faith and service
applePeace, plenty and long-standing settlement
cross symbolChristian faith and service
applePeace, plenty and long-standing settlement
