What does "ensign" mean?

Additional senses

1. 2.3. Sign; badge of office, rank, or power; symbol. The ensigns of our power about we bear. Waller.
2. 3.(a) Formerly, a commissioned officer of the army who carried the ensign or flag of a company or regiment. (b) A commissioned officer of the lowest grade in the navy, corresponding to the grade of second lieutenant in the army. Ham. Nav. Encyc. Note: In the British army the rank of ensign was abolished in 1871. In the United States army the rank is not recognized; the regimental flags being carried by a sergeant called the color sergeant. Ensign bearer, one who carries a flag; an ensign.
3. 4.To designate as by an ensign. [Obs.] Henry but joined the roses that ensigned Particular families. B. Jonson.
4. 5.To distinguish by a mark or ornament; esp. (Her.), by a crown; thus, any charge which has a crown immediately above or upon it, is said to be ensigned.