Map of Wales showing where the Abner arms are recorded
The Abner arms were recorded in Wales, c. 1647.
Arms such as these were typically recorded in Denbigh.
Denbighshire was north Welsh country of hills and small estates. Land was held by a great many families rather than a few, and each holding brought its own claim to a coat of 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 Wales in this period.
Charles I of England
Sovereign of the period
Charles I of England
1625–1649
Reigning in Wales when the Abner arms are first recorded.
How Arms Worked in Wales
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 Wales.
Origin & History of the Abner Family in Wales
The surname Abner is rooted in the Hebrew name Avner, which translates to "my father is a light." While the name has ancient origins, its presence in the historical record of Denbigh, Wales, dates back to at least 1647. During this period, families in the region were often recorded in parish registers as they navigated the social and political shifts of the seventeenth century. The Abner family likely lived as part of the local community in Denbighshire, where they would have participated in the agricultural and trade activities common to the area. Over time, the name transitioned from a given name into a hereditary surname, reflecting the way many families established their identity within the growing administrative systems of Britain. By settling in Denbigh, these early ancestors became part of the long-standing cultural fabric of North Wales, leaving behind a legacy that persists through the generations.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Avner
Hebrew origin meaning father of light
This name
AbnerA Welsh-adopted biblical name signifying enlightenment or a father who provides guidance
also spelled
Abbar
Documented Sources
Sir Bernard Burke, The General Armory of England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales, London: Harrison & Sons, 1884
Cottle, Basil. The Penguin Dictionary of Surnames. 1967
Reaney, Percy H. A Dictionary of British Surnames. 1958
National Library of Wales, Denbighshire Parish Registers
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fessThe military belt, and readiness to serve
fessThe military belt, and readiness to serve
