Map of England showing where the Agenor arms are recorded
The Agenor arms were recorded in England, c. 1620.
Arms such as these were typically recorded in York.
Yorkshire is the largest of the English counties, and it held more gentry families than any other. Land there was split among a great many households rather than a few, so a great many of them carried 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 England in this period.
James VI and I
Sovereign of the period
James VI and I
1603–1625
Reigning in England when the Agenor 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 England.
Origin & History of the Agenor Family in England
The surname Agenor carries a rich history that reaches back to the early seventeenth century in the city of York. By 1620, records confirm that members of this family were established residents within the city walls, living during a time of significant social and religious change in Northern England. The name itself is rooted in classical tradition, as it is derived from the Greek name Agenor, which translates to "brave" or "manly." While many families in York during this period were involved in the thriving wool and merchant trades, those bearing this name were part of the growing urban population that helped shape the city’s civic life. Over the following decades, the family integrated into the local community, leaving their mark on the parish registers and historical documents that track the development of York as a regional center of commerce and culture.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Agenor
Derived from Greek words meaning manly or courageous.
This name
AgenorA name of Greek mythological origin signifying a brave or heroic leader.
also spelled
Genour
Genner
Documented Sources
Sir Bernard Burke, The General Armory of England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales, London: Harrison & Sons, 1884
Borthwick Institute for Archives, York Diocesan Archives: Parish Registers of York St. Martin-le-Grand, 1620
Drake, Francis, Eboracum: or the History and Antiquities of the City of York, 1736
Palliser, David M., Tudor York, 1979
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
cupFaith, office, and a trust discharged
cupFaith, office, and a trust discharged
