Map of England showing where the Withington arms are recorded
The Withington arms were recorded in Lancaster, c. 1620.
Lancashire was divided among a great many small landed families, more than most northern counties. Estates were passed down whole rather than split up, so the same names hold the same ground for centuries in the 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.
James VI and I
Sovereign of the period
James VI and I
1603–1625
Reigning in England when the Withington 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 Lancaster.
Origin & History of the Withington Family in England
The surname Withington is a locative name, meaning it originated from a specific place in England. It is derived from the Old English words "withig," meaning willow, and "tun," meaning an enclosed settlement or farm. This suggests that the earliest members of the family likely lived in a town known for its willow trees. By the early 17th century, the family had established a notable presence in the county of Lancashire. Records confirm that members of the Withington family were living in this region by 1620, a time when many families were beginning to expand their influence through local trade and agriculture. Over the centuries, the name remained tied to the geography of Northern England, reflecting the deep connection between the family and the landscape of their ancestral home.
Withington Meaning & Related Branches
Root word
Withingatun
Old English for a settlement belonging to the people of Witha.
This name
WithingtonDerived from a locational surname referring to a farmstead or village associated with the Witha clan.
also spelled
Wythington
Withyngton
Wythyngton
Related arms
Whitingtonrecorded with Withington, same area
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
Ekwall, Eilert, The Place-Names of Lancashire, 1922
Lancashire Archives, Records of the Diocese of Chester, Bishop’s Transcripts of Parish Registers, 1620
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
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