A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Barnake family of England.
Reg. 9002 · English, A–C
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
bendDefence, and the scarf of a commander
cinquefoilHope and joy
Colours
ErmineMeans: Dignity
Red (Gules)Means: Military strength
Gold (Or)Means: Generosity
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)
“Erm. on a bend gu. a cinquefoil (another, three) or”
Englandc. 1620
Where the Barnake Arms Were Recorded
York
Map of England showing where the Barnake arms are recorded
The Barnake 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 Barnake 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 Barnake Family in England
The surname Barnake has deep roots in the historic city of York, where records confirm the family was well-established by the year 1620. During this period, York served as a major northern hub for trade and administration, placing the family at the center of a bustling urban environment. The name itself likely originated as a locative surname, which was a common practice in medieval England to identify individuals by the specific village or manor where they lived. While the exact geographical origin remains a subject of study, the presence of the family in York suggests they were part of the growing class of citizens who contributed to the city’s economic and social life during the early seventeenth century. By settling in such a prominent location, the early members of the Barnake family were positioned to participate in the significant cultural shifts occurring in Northern England at the time.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Barn
Old English term for a child or a young person.
This name
BarnakeA topographical or occupational name referring to someone who lived near or worked at a barn.
also spelled
Barnack
Bernake
Related arms
Barnackvariant spelling
Bernakevariant spelling
Documented Sources
Sir Bernard Burke, The General Armory of England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales, London: Harrison & Sons, 1884
Bardsley, Charles Wareing, A Dictionary of English and Welsh Surnames, 1901
York City Archives, York City Chamberlains' Account Rolls, 1620
Reaney, P.H., A Dictionary of British Surnames, 1958
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
bendDefence, and the scarf of a commander
cinquefoilHope and joy
bendDefence, and the scarf of a commander
cinquefoilHope and joy
