Copyright (C) 2003 Frederick Walton , Walton Family Historian
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Example of a "Walton" Coat of Arms found on the internet |
Most people of European ancestry, when they begin tracing their family history, stumble across their so-called family coat of arms. Many places will even help you trace your family name or sell you products emblazoned with your family’s heraldic symbols.
Technically, there is no such thing as a "family" coat of Arms. A unique coat of arms was award to a deserving individual, for example a knight, who displayed this on his banner, shield or tunic as a way to uniquely identify himself, much like vanity plates on todays automobiles. But this symbol belonged to him alone and not even his son was entitled to use the identical coat of arms.
Who has the “right” to the family coat of arms? Traditionally, according to the usual description of the law of arms, coats of arms, armorial badges, flags and standards and other similar emblems of honour may only be borne by virtue of ancestral right, or of a grant made to the user under due authority.
Ancestral right means descent in the male line from an ancestor who lawfully bore arms. Due authority has, since late medieval times, been the Crown.In the United Kingdom, the Crown's prerogative of granting Coats of Arms is delegated to one of several authorities depending on the country. In England, Wales and Northern Ireland, the authority to grant arms is delegated to the Kings of Arms of the College of Arms, under the direction of the Earl Marshal.
While there are many rules governing this, the most simple and basic rule is that no person may lawfully have the same coat of arms as another person in the same heraldic jurisdiction. In fact a father and son did not share the same coat of arms, but the son, once granted his own arms, would often modify the fathers design slightly to make his own unique, albeit similar, arms.
Like most families, there is a Coat of Arms associated with the Walton name. Several in fact. My particular branch of the Walton family immigrated to the U.S. from England in the 1880’s. My documented 19th century ancestors all held honorable positions “in service” as butlers, grooms and coachmen. While these were important jobs carrying with them respect and responsibility, they were far from noble enough to earn them the right to a family crest.
So while we may proudly adopt the so-called Walton coat of arms, it is doubtful that our direct ancestors, at least in recent centuries, were aware of or bore any Coat of arms. In fact many of them were, unfortunately, lucky to have even bore a coat! Any claim our recent ancestors had to great estates was usually through the seventies entrance. This is not said to disrespect any of our ancestors who were clearly hard working and successfully raised large families who ultimately bore us, their descendants.
While we may wish we could claim someone like Walmart's Sam Walton as a distant uncle, we might actually have more in common with someone like a humble John-boy. That being said, there is nothing to prevent us from adapting the somewhat “generic” Walton coat of arms as a family symbol, but let’s just hope another Walton with a more rightful claim doesn’t challenge us to a duel!
On April 12, 2003, while on Vacation in England, we stayed at the Bank House, in Oakamoor, Derbyshire, Great Britain, where I discovered a book on heraldry published in 1886 that caught my attention. “Fairbairnes Crests of the Families of Great Britain and Ireland”
It contained the following EIGHT descriptions for Walton Coat of Arms:
8 Walton Listings (pp 491)
1. Gloucestershire, a Griffins head, erased, ar., Semee of buckles, az (azure) (pierced through mouth by a spear in bend sinister, point upward, or.) Murus aeneus virtue* pl. 48, cr 6.
*(Virtue is a wall of brass)
2. Walton, on a chapau, ar., turned up, gu., a bugle horn, of the last, stringed, or., pl. 48, cr 12. (chapau pl. 127, fig 13)
3. Walton, a wild man, striding forward, in sinister the branch of a tree resting on the shoulder, wreathed round temples with a chaplet of laurel, all vert.
4. Walton, Essex, an antelope’s head, (couped at neck, gu., armed, or.), gourged with a collar, ar., thereon three fleur-de-lis, gu., in mouth a trefoil, ppr. Pl 24 cr 7 (trefoil, pl 11, cr12)
5. Walton, Somerset, a dragon’s head, couped, or, flames, issuing from mouth, ppr., on neck a cross pattee’, sa (pl 37, cr 9) (cross pl 141)
6. Walton, Durham, a buck, current, ar., charged on shoulder with three torteaux, attired, or, pierced through neck by arrow, gold, feathered, of the first.
7. Walton, Wiltshire and Lancashire. A wild man, wreathed about loins and head, ppr., in dexter a trefoil, slipped, or., in sinister, a tree, eradicated, ppr., reclining on his shoulder.
8. Walton Wiltshire and Lancashire. A wild man wreathed about loins and head, ppr., holding a spiked club, or.
Abbreviations: (see also Glossary)
Ar Argent silver, often shown white
Az Azure Blue
Erm Ermine black tails on white
Gu Gules Red
Or gold gold, usually shown as yellow
Ppr proper
Sa sable Black
Vert green Green
Walton motto: Murus aenus virtus. (Virtue is a wall of brass.)
From "The Book of Family Crests...", Volume 1 Published in 1832 by H. Washbourne, Six Walton Coats of Arms described. Some match the descriptions above :
WALTON, Wilts., and Lane., a wild man, ppr., wreathed about the loins and head of the first, in his dexter hand a trefoil slipped, or, in the sinister a tree eradicated, ppr., reclining on his shoulder. pl. 49, n. 30 ; another, the man holding a spiked club, or. pl. 65, n. 80.
—, Durh., a buck courant, ar., charged on the shoulder with three torteaux, attired or, pierced through the neck with an arrow of the second, feathered of the first. p1.37, n. 38.
—, Somers., a dragon's head couped, or, flames issuing from the mouth, ppr., on the neck a cross pattee, sa. pl. 24, n. 10.
Ess., an antelope's head, cooped at the neck, gu., armed or, gorged with a collar, ar., thereon three tieurs-de-lis, gu., in the mouth a trefoil, ppr. pl. 28, n.19.
—, a wild man, striding forward, in his sinister hand the branch of a tree resting on the shoulder, wreathed round the temples with a chaplet of laurel, all vert. p1.49, n. 30.
___, (on a chapeau, ar., turned up gu.,) a bugle-horn of the last, stringed or. p1.88, n. 19.
The Significance of Symbols
All these coats of arms employ carefully chosen symbols to represent either a significant achievement by the owner or to create the impression of a specific deed or occupation. There are many sites on the internet that describe their meanings. I have included here a description of some of the predominant symbols use in the various Walton Coats of Arms. What do they say about their owners?
GRIFFIN: This chimerical creature has the head, wings, and talons of an eagle with the body of a lion, and is said expressed the ideal combination of swiftness, strength and intelligence. Historically the Griffin has been emblematic of valour, vigilance and death defying bravery. Guillim, an often-quoted heraldic writer says this about the Griffin, "sets forth the property of a valorous soldier whose magnanimity is such that he will dare all dangers, and even death itself, rather than become captive." This creature is as old as the time of the Phoenicians, was sacred to the sun, and kept guard over hidden treasures. It is symbolic of watchfulness, courage, perseverance, and rapidity of execution. In legend, the creature was a symbol of superbia (arrogant pride), because Alexander the Great was said to have tried to fly on the backs of Griffins to the edge of the sky. During the Middle Ages, Christian nobles searched for Griffin's eggs or "grypeseye" which they mounted and used for cups, believing they brought health to any beverage
SWAN: The male Swan is called a cob, the female a pen, a young Swan a cygnet. Like the peacock and pheasant, the Swan was an emblem of chivalry; every knight chose one of these birds, which was associated in his oath with God, the Virgin, or his lady-love. In Greek mythology, Zeus took the form of a Swan to seduce Leda. The Swan has erotic associations as an emblem of Aphrodite/Venus. Swans drew the Chariot of Venus. The most famous belief about the Swan is that it only sings when it is about to die. The legendary Swan's song has caused this bird to represent music and poetry, especially that which is divinely inspired, passionate or tragic. The beauty and roundness of the Swan's body caused Nordic people to allude to it as the height of female grace and beauty. A Swan with a fish in its mouth represents the Devil snatching up and consuming the unwary Christian, and two Swans with their necks entwined stand for two lovers or friends united in a companionship.
BUCKLE: Ancient and honourable bearing signifying victorious fidelity in authority.
JAVELIN (spear, tilting spear, lance, dart,): If a stranger kept the point of his spear forward when he entered a strange land, it was a declaration of war; if he carried the spear on his shoulder with the point behind him, it was a token of friendship. Bestowed only on the valiant and well deserving soldier. It is the emblem of knightly service and signifies devotion to honour.
ORDINARIES: Are certain charges in common use in arms, and in their simple forms are bounded by straight lines. Their number has never been precisely agreed upon, but most heralds recognize nine principal ones, which they call honourable, namely, the cross, the chief, the pale, the bend, the bend sinister, the fesse, the bar, the saltire, and the chevron.
The Chevron: The term is from 14th century Middle English, from Middle French, rafter, chevron. It generally denotes Protection and was granted as a reward to one who has achieved some notable enterprise; said to represent the roof-tree of a house or the zigzag moulding, or group of mouldings, common in Norman architecture. Gallant soldiers have sometimes given it to those who have built churches or fortresses or who have accomplished some work of faithful service; worn.
BEND: Representative of a scarf or shield suspender of a knight or commander; signifies defence or protection. See Ordinaries.
Bend: Bearing of high honour; represents the scarf or shield suspender of a knight commander signifying defence or protection; granted to those who have distinguished themselves as commanders. The symbolism also applies to the Bends diminutives the Bendlet and the Cotise.
Walton Surname Name Meaning, Origin, History, & Etymology
This last name has locational or habitational name denoting a person who was “of Walton”, any of twenty-five different parishes throughout England and two in Scotland. These places can be found in Derbyshire, Berkshire, Hertfordshire, Lancashire, Norfolk, Somerset, Staffordshire, and Suffolk. There are at least four theories as to the meaning or etymology of the name.
First, it is believed the term refers to a dwelling that was built from stone instead of wood.
Second, another theory is that it refers to a hamlet or farmstead enclosed by a wall, deriving from the Old English word weall (wall) and tun (farm).
Third, another theory is that it referred to a hamlet or farmstead by the woods, deriving from the Old English word weald (wood).
Fourth, it may refer to the Welshman’s or Serf’s Place, deriving from the Old English weala, meaning Welshman or serf.
The Domesday Book of 1086 AD, a survey or England and Wales, ordered by William the Conquerors, documents places spelled Waletone, Waltone, Waletun, and Waletune. One source states the original village bearing the name Walton or Wolton that may be Viking, Norman, or Saxon in origin. The progenitor or first known ancestor of this family was Waldeve de Waleton who was born in Walton, Lancashire, England in 1077 AD. It is believed he descended from the Norman family of De Cramaville who lived in Evreux, France and held fief in Essex from the barony of Peverel from the time of the Norman Conquest of England in 1066 AD. A member of this family Robert de Cramaville, received lands at Walton in Fountains Abbey, and hence his descendants bore the surname Walton.
Some noteworthy people of the name Walton
Brian Walton (c.1600-1661) English clergyman
Ernest Thomas Sinton Walton (1903-) Irish physicist
George Walton (1867-1933) Scottish designer
Sam Walton (1918-1992) American founder of Wal-Mart stores
Travis Walton (1953-) American logger
George Walton (1741-1804) American signer of declaration of Independence
George Walton (1864-1910) My Great-Grandfather and one of the primary reasons for my existence. Thanks George!
Izaak Walton (1593-1683) English writer
William Turner Walton (1902-1983) English composer
Samples
The following is a collection of Walton coat’s of arms and descriptions for the heraldic devices contained within to help us better understand what the arms stand for. A simple Google search for Walton Coat of Arms will yield dozens of examples, but most tend to be similar to the included example below.
The blazon of arms is as follows:
Arms: Per pale azure and sable, on a chevron indented between three swans, argent, as many buckles of the first.
Crest: A griffin's head erased argent semee of buckles azure pierced through the mouth by a spear in bend sinister point upwards or.
Motto: Murus aenus virtus. (Virtue is a wall of brass.)
Source: Burke's The General Armory of England, Scotland, Ireland, and Wales.
Gold (Or): Generosity and elevation of the mind.
Silver or White (Argent): Peace and sincerity.
Blue (Azure): Truth and loyalty.
Black (Sable): Constancy or grief.
or see the Glossary at the end of this document
Another Variation containing many of the same symbols. Although the artistic style and colors vary, these are essentially the same design
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| Originally found on a private Genealogy site (that no longer is active): |
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Note: the Crest (Griffin) and the Charges (Swans and buckles) on the Shield are the same but the color of the mantle is red and gold rather than blue and white.
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This example was also found on the internet (location not recorded) and is similar to the previous examples except the ordinary on the shield is straight (Fess) rather than bent (Chevron).
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First found in Lancashire, where the Walton’s held a family seat from ancient times, here we see a different variation featuring "a wild man, striding forward, in sinister the branch of a tree resting on the shoulder, wreathed round temples with a chaplet of laurel,"
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| A la volante de Dieu (Flying to God) (or God at the wheel?) |
An example of an Irish Walton Coat of Arms
The name Walton is of Anglo-Saxon Origin and has existed in Ireland since the thirteenth century. It was brought into Ulster Province by settlers from England and Scotland especially during the seventeenth century. While similar to the above examples, the Irish version is slightly different in coloring.
Glossary of Heraldic Terms
Antelope = Ibex heraldic monster with serrated horns and deer’s legs. The antelope’s horns point backwards, the ibex’s forwards according to some references
Armed used of animals, referring to their “weapons” – claws, tusks, beaks, talons etc. which are often of a different colour from the rest of the animal
Attired - Ornamented with horns or antlers.
Bend. An ordinary - A diagonal band running across the shield, derived from a military sash. The bend usually occupies about one third of the shield, and runs from top left to bottom right as viewed. A very common charge, especially in early heraldry.
The diminutive of a bend is the bendlet. A bend cotised has a very thin subsidiary bend on each side of it. Bends frequently occur between two other charges, and can themselves be charged (in which case the charge runs with the bend or bendwise.)
A bend can run along the opposite diagonal, when it is termed the bend sinister.
Buckle The buckle signifies self-defense and protection, as well as victorious fidelity in authority. Buckles may be square, round, or rectangular in shape
Bugle Horn Represents readiness and a summons to battle. May indicate one whose job it was to alert the army that battle was about to begin. (Stringed means having a ribbon attached)
Chapeau, is a cap generally of red velvet turned up with ermine, formerly peculiar to dukes(whence it is sometimes called a duciper), but now often used to place crests upon instead of a wreath.
Chaplet a garland of flowers, usually shown conventionally
Couped cut short, cut clean (as opposed to erased)
Cross patée-The emblem of the Knights of St. John, and is known as the Croix de Malthe. It spreads out at the ends.
Current means an animal like a Buck running at full speed
Dragon The heraldic dragon is a 4-legged beast with a horny head, barbed tongue, scaly back, armoured rolls on the chest and belly, 2 bat-like wings, 4 legs with talons like an eagle’s, and a pointed tail often with an arrow-like end. It is usually shown rampant, statant or passant, and rarely displayed like an eagle. A sea dragon has no wings
Eradicated A tree torn up by its roots.
Erased torn off to leave ragged edges (e.g. animals’ heads)
Ermine in its original form is the winter pelt of the stoat, an animal which turns all white except for the tip of its tail. The fur was (and is) prized and worn as decoration on robes
Fleur de lys a very common charge, representing a stylised lily.
Dexter - The right; situated on the right
Gorged encircled around the neck or throat (often used when an animal has a crown or collar around the neck)
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| Griffin |
Griffin or Gryphon The head, breast and claws of an eagle, with the hindquarters and tail of a lion. It has ears. If rampant it is termed segreant. A male griffin has no wings but often has horns and a spiky tail
Proper, propre shown in its natural colours, commonly used for trees etc.
Semé, Semy scattered or strewn with (small charges), e.g. semé de lys if fleur de lys are scattered over the field. Also known as aspersed, poudré or powdered
Sinister the left side of the shield, but the right as viewed
Slipped - Applied to a flower or branch depicted as torn from the stalk
Trefoil a 3-way leaf like a clover or shamrock leaf; usually shown slipped, i.e. with its stalk
Torteaux Dolphin Shaped like an S
Wildman The full human figure is a rare bearing, but can be seen occasionally. When displayed naked, he is salvage; when clothed, habited.
References
The Armorial Bearings Featured in The Vale Royal of England first published by Daniel King in 1656 http://cheshire-heraldry.org.uk/vale_royal/VRE29.html
Pimbley's Dictionary of Heraldry from https://www.google.com/books/edition/Pimbley_s_Dictionary_of_Heraldry/-tFsAAAAMAAJ?hl=en&gbpv=1
Free Heraldry Clipart from https://www.heraldryclipart.com/
Tempus Peregrinator's Little Heraldry Book from http://theweebsite.com/heraldry/
Family Crests and info at http://www.fleurdelis.com/index.html
Walton Family Crest, Coat of Arms and Name History
https://coadb.com/surnames/walton-arms.html
