A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Bane family of England.
Reg. 1603 · English, A–C
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
legStrength and swiftness
Colours
Black (Sable)Means: Constancy
Silver (Argent)Means: Peace and sincerity
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)
“Sa. two leg bones in cross ar”
Englandc. 1620
Where the Bane Arms Were Recorded
York
Map of England showing where the Bane arms are recorded
The Bane 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 Bane 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 Bane Family in England
The surname Bane has deep roots in the northern regions of England, particularly within the historic city of York. By the year 1620, families carrying this name were already established members of the local community. The name itself is often thought to be a variation of the Old Norse word "bein," which means bone. In medieval times, this name was frequently used as a descriptive nickname for someone who was tall, thin, or perhaps particularly strong. Because York served as a major center for trade and administration during the seventeenth century, families like the Banes were often involved in the city’s growing merchant guilds or local crafts. Their presence in the city during this era suggests they were part of the hardworking population that helped shape the social and economic life of Northern England long before the modern age.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
bana
Old English word meaning a slayer or murderer.
This name
BaneA nickname for a fierce warrior or a person who caused destruction.
also spelled
Bain
Bayne
Baine
Related arms
Bainvariant spelling
Bainevariant spelling
Baynevariant spelling
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
Bardsley, Charles Wareing, A Dictionary of English and Welsh Surnames, 1901
Borthwick Institute for Archives, York Diocesan Probate Records, 1620
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legStrength and swiftness
legStrength and swiftness
