A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Arney family of England.
Reg. 2283 · English, A–C
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
fessThe military belt, and readiness to serve
martletA younger son, who must win his own land
Colours
Silver (Argent)Means: Peace and sincerity
Red (Gules)Means: Military strength
Historical info
Source
Sir Bernard Burke, The General Armory of England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales, London: Harrison & Sons, 1884
Blazon (the actual original written record)
“Ar. a fesse compony or, and az. in chief three martlets gu”
DorsetChambury · Dorset, c. 1620
Where the Arney Arms Were Recorded
Dorset
Map of England showing where the Arney arms are recorded
The Arney arms were recorded in Dorset, c. 1620.
Dorset was quiet farming and grazing country along the south coast. Its gentry were middling rather than grand, but they held their manors for a very long time, and long holding is what puts a name in the records.
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 Arney 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 Dorset.
Origin & History of the Arney Family in England
The family name Arney has deep roots in the English county of Dorset, where records confirm members of the family were well-established by the year 1620. The name itself is thought to be a variation of the Old English name Arne, which translates to eagle. During the seventeenth century, families in this region were often involved in local agriculture and trade, contributing to the growth of rural communities. As the family expanded throughout the southern coast of England, they became integrated into the local social fabric of Dorset. Their presence in the area during this period reflects the broader patterns of English settlement and the way surnames were passed down through generations to preserve family identity.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Arn
Old Germanic element meaning eagle
This name
ArneyDerived from a diminutive form of Arnold, signifying an eagle power
also spelled
Arnye
Arnie
Documented Sources
Sir Bernard Burke, The General Armory of England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales, London: Harrison & Sons, 1884
Reaney, P.H., A Dictionary of English Surnames, 1958
Hutchins, John, The History and Antiquities of the County of Dorset, 1774
Dorset History Centre, Dorset Parish Registers, 1620
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
fessThe military belt, and readiness to serve
martletA younger son, who must win his own land
fessThe military belt, and readiness to serve
martletA younger son, who must win his own land
