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    • Lincolnshire Coat of Arms

    By Joel Langton

    April 2010. Updated October 2010.


    Lincolnshire Branch

    The Lincolnshire Langtons, a well established family from Langton-by-Partney/Spilsby.


    These are the most ancient arms we have found attributed to the Langtons of Langton, Lincolnshire. We do not know who they belonged to, but they are dated to the time of Henry II (Pre - 1189)


    These are the coats of Arms of Stephen Langton, Archbishop of Canterbury, who is known to have descended from one of the Langton villages in Lincolnshire (Most Likely Langton by Wragby).


    The left half of the shield is that of his office, and the right shows his original shield, which would look like this on its own. Being the first famous Langton from Lincolnshire, it is difficult to know where this shield originated from, whether perhaps his Father Henry De Langton used it or not, is not known. The colours do resemble that of the French tri-colour flag, the origin of which seems to be from the flag of Paris, Per pale, Blue and Red. As Stephen Langton studied here, it is possible his shield was a pointer to that, but the truth is, we dont know for sure.


    Another source, says that his shield was as shown below. This is similar with the bend, and the quartering is what the Lincolnshire Langtons of Partney use much later, so it is possible there is some truth to this and perhaps a link. However, it is more likely to be the arms used by one of the illegitimate sons or grandsons of Stephen or his brother Simon, under the alias of William of Rotherfield.


    Returning our attention to Archbishop Stephen, other evidence supports that the first shield is his. His brother, Simon Langton, setup a school in Canterbury, called the Simon Langton Grammar School, which still runs to this day. Their crest is as below and you will see that the first and third quarters are the same as Archbishop Langtons. the third quarter is that of Canterbury, and the 2nd quarter we have yet to identify.


    Another source for Stephen Langtons arms is "An historical essay of the Magna Carta of King John", written by Richard Thomson in 1829, printed in 1921.

    As well as talking about the Magna Carta and Stephen Langton, each page is decorated with the arms of those involved in the Magna Carta, including Stephen Langton, providing the same shield we already know of from another source, and another which is new. Although the book assigns this shield to Stephen Langton, it seems more likely to be that of his Brother Simon Langton, who also signed the Magna Carta.


    Here is Stephen Langtons shield, which corresponds with what we already know from another source

    Parted per pale, Azure and Gules. A bend Or.


    and here is the other Langton shield, also attributed to Stephen Langton.

    Argent. A Cross Gules, pieced quarterly of the field.


    Both Stephen Langton and Simon Langton being men of the church are thought to have been celebate. However, it is clear that not all men of the church took this rule to literally, although not married, and no legitemate heirs are known, it seems likely that one of these two men had a son, William, under the Alias Rotherfield.

    William Rotherfield, had a son, also William of Rotherfield, who was in 1249 elected Archbishop of York. The Pope quashed this election. However he continued to be Dean of York, dropping the alias and openly being named William Langton. His Uncle is reported to be Walter de Grey who was previously himself Archbishop of York. Another de Grey, John was the Kings favoured choice instead of Archbishop Stephen Langton, and although the Pope won in the end, it appears John de Grey held the office for a while (presumably while Stephen was in exile).

    It was not just William Langton whose election to Archbishop of York was quashed, Simon Langton had been elected the same previously, but the pope said no.

    Rather than think of these two families as enemies because of the opposition of the King and Pope in their choices, we should consider that these families may have actually been close. Indeed it seems they must have been for Walter de Grey to be the nephew of William Langton not long after.

    This evidence on its own is not enough, however there are two other pieces of evidence to consider. First, the shield of William Langton:

    Note: The shield above is described as a Barry of 6, not 8 as shown here.


    Although not identical to Stephen or Simons shields, it does bare the same colours as one of Stephen Langtons recorded shields. In addition the bend seen on all Lincolnshire shields is present

    Finally, we have uncovered one other piece of evidence which strongly supports Williams lineage from the two brothers. William held the Prebendary of Stenshall, which had previously been held by Simon Langton, Archdeacon of Canterbury. William was given this prebendary while Simon Langton was still alive.


    Lincolnshire > Yorkshire

    For completeness, another shield appears in Yorkshire, which seems to have its origin in Lincolnshire, though we know very little about it. See below.

    Note: this shield is recorded with both the quartering and the bend being silver. This may be accurate, or both may be argent, but it seems to make most sense if the quartering and bend are different colours as pictured here.


    Bishop John Langton of Chichester

    Believed to have descended from Lincolnshire, where he was Canon and held a Prebendary.


    Bishop John Langton of St Davids

    Another Bishop, this one we are fairly sure was from Leicestershire, but held a prebenary in Lincolnshire, seems to have been attributed a Lincolnshire shield. It is possible this shield belonged to the Langtons of Lincolnshire but was attributed in error to the Bishop.


    Langton by Partney/Spilsby, Lincolnshire

    These arms which were recorded by the Asfordby/Ashfordby family following their marriage into the Langton family around 1514, show the Langton arms impaled with that of the Mumby family. The heiress of whose family married into the Langtons several generations before. The Mumby estates were eventually claimed by the Langton family. ARMS: Quarterly; 1 and 4, quarterly, sable and or, a bend argent (Langton) ; 2 and 3, or, fretty azure, on a canton gules, a cross pattee argent (Mumby). CREST: An eagle or, and wivern vert, their necks entwined reguardant.



    The next record of Langtons arms from Lincolnshire comes in 1550, and are attributed to a Robert.

    The colours being different perhaps suggests that he was not of the main branch, or perhaps that he was a younger son. A Baston is often used to show that someone is a bastard son, the record does not note which way the baston is facing which may be a further indication, so it is not possible to know for sure based solely on this record.


    These are the Langton arms from the 1564 visitation of Lincolnshire:


    In 1599 there are Langton arms attributed to James Langton, the arms clearly of Lincolnshire origin, we are not certain which James this is.


    This is described as the Lincolnshire shield, note also the crest above the shield.


    These arms are noted as belonging to Sir John Langton of Lincolnshire. As with Robert above, the presence of a Baston, perhaps suggests he was a bastard son, though to us this seems unlikely. Why then did he use a Baston? Note also that the colours (Yellow and Black) are reversed from the standard Lincolnshire arms. Perhaps colour reversal was used by a son while his Father was alive? Its also possible that these arms are not those of Sir John, but of another John Langton in the family, perhaps he himself had a bastard son who bore these arms. The fact is, we simply dont know. We can only take what we have at face value and continue looking for more clues.


    Radley, Oxfordshire

    quarterly: 1 & 4. Quarterly Sable and or a bend argent. LANGTON.

    Also there are the shields of Mumby - Azure fretty or on a canton gules a cross moline of the second. and Meuter - sable four hawks volant argent. These families had married into the family previously.

    Although not in Lincolnshire, these arms were those of Dr. William Langton, the President of Magdalen College, Oxford. Dr. Langton was a Brother of Sir John Langton, Sheriff of Lincolnshire.


    Staneswick, Shrivenham, Wiltshire

    Although not in Lincolnshire, the Langtons of Shrivenham are the descended of Dr. William Langton of Radley, Oxfordshire. Those of his sons William and George.

    ARMS - quarterly sable and or a bend argent. Crest - an eagle Or and a wyvern Vert interlaced and erect.

    The crest:


    The Langtons of Bristol

    The Langtons of Bristol, Gloucestershire and of Somerset, originate from Lincolnshire, but have their own page for their coat of arms. The arms date from 1610, but the break from Lincolnshire is thought to have happened circa. 1550. Click here to view that page.



    We now take a short trip to Nottinhamshire, where we find these arms of Langton, which appear to have originated in Lincolnshire. The date of recording is 1614, and the arms are one of thirteen quartered on the shield of the White family.



    Prestwold, Leicestershire

    Now we take a brief trip into Prestwold, Loughborough, Leicestershire, where in 1631 the following arms are recorded for Langton, clearly their origin from Lincolnshire.


    The next recording of Lincolnshire Langton arms is in 1716 and are described thus:


    And again in 1730, though it reverting back to the standard black and yellow.



    Teeton, Northamptonshire

    Around 1762 we take a trip to Northamptonshire where Sir Thomas Langton is Sheriff. The arms attribued to him are Lincolnshire arms.

    The crest which was on the same monument and which belongs with the arms is of 2 winged serpents V. interwoven and erect on their tails, V.

    This crest is described as similar but different to that of the Shrivenham Langtons, but is most likely the same.

    It is worth noting that the Langtons of Teeton did not seem to appear suddenly there around the time of the Sheriff, but rather the family had lived in the area to the East for generations, moving gradually toward Teetton over the years, appearing in the villages of Ravensthorpe, Haddon, Long Buckby, and Whilton. There is no doubt given the shield that these Langtons were of Lincolnshire originally.



    Later, and back in Lincolnshire, Peregrine Langton, the son of Bennett Langton of Langton, married into the Massingberd family, who were another large family in the area around Langton by Partney/Spilsby, and he adopted their name and coat of arms.



    Norfolk

    A branch of the Langtons of Lincolnshire, fairly late on, moved to Norfolk. The Langtons were in with the Coke family who ended up with estates down in Norfolk, and the Langtons move there shortly afterward. They may have inherited some land in Norfolk. At any rate, we have Rev. Wenman Henry Langton as rector of Warham St Mary, Norfolk. He died in 1836 aged 73. he is buried there and so are several members of his family. His arms are those of Lincolnshire with a cresent for difference:



    London

    These arms appear in the Visitation of London, these langtons being the descendants of William langton and dorothy/elizabeth littlebury's son Thomas. 1663-5.

    They are the arms of the Lincolnshire Langtons, quartered with Mumby - Azure fretty or on a canton gules a cross moline of the second. and Meuter - sable four hawks volant argent. It is esentially the same shield which Dr. William Langton, president of Magdalen College, Oxford held at Radley in Lincolnshire not long before. Though these Langtons are not his descendants.


    These are the arms of the now dead pub, the Langton Arms in London. The coats of arms clearly shows an origin with Lincolnshire, though the origin could be via Northamptonshire, or another county.



    France and London

    We dont know much about these Langtons but fairly late (circa. 1900?) it seems some Langtons from Lincolnshire moved to France and these are their arms.


    We have found a second reference to this coat of arms from London. Second Lieutenant HUGH GORDON LANGTON, of 4th Bn., London Regiment (Royal Fusiliers), who died age 32 on 26 October 1917. Bby all accounts he was a very talented violinist, though sadly he was killed in the first world war. These arms appear to have belonged to him or his Father, James Gordon Langton - who was so devastated by the loss of his son, that he himself became ill and died exactly a week after the First World War ended.


    DNA and Shield Linking

    We hope to be able to link the various Y chromosome DNA results to coats of arms, so that you can use your DNA test results to identify which coat of arms are yours! We do need your help with this though, we need your DNA results, check out the DNA articles here.