Map of England showing where the Willerton arms are recorded
The Willerton 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 Willerton 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 Willerton Family in England
The surname Willerton is a locative name, meaning it originally identified people by the place where they lived. It is derived from Old English roots that likely refer to a farmstead or an enclosure belonging to a person named Willa. By the year 1620, records confirm that members of the Willerton family were established in the city of York. During this period, York was a bustling center of trade and religious life in Northern England. Families living in the city at that time often worked as skilled tradespeople or merchants who helped maintain the local economy. As the family grew, they became part of the long history of the region, contributing to the social fabric of the city through their daily work and community involvement.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Willa-tun
A settlement or enclosure belonging to a person named Willa.
This name
WillertonDerived from an Old English locational name referring to a farmstead or village owned by Willa.
also spelled
Wollarton
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, 1991
Hey, David, The Oxford Guide to Family History, 2002
Borthwick Institute for Archives, York Diocesan Probate Records
York City Archives, Freemen of the City of York Registers
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
