A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Bennitt family of England.
Reg. 5602 · English, A–C
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
chevronProtection, and faithful service completed
martletA younger son, who must win his own land
ringFidelity, and a promise kept
Colours
Blue (Azure)Means: Loyalty and truth
Gold (Or)Means: Generosity
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)
“Az. on a chev. or, betw. three martlets in chief and one in base ar. three annulets of the fields”
WorcesterStourton Hall · Worcester, c. 1620
Where the Bennitt Arms Were Recorded
Worcester
Map of England showing where the Bennitt arms are recorded
The Bennitt arms were recorded in Worcester, c. 1620.
Worcestershire was orchard and farming country with a scattering of old manors. Its gentry were middling rather than great, but a manor was a manor, and holding one was what brought 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 Bennitt 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 Worcester.
Origin & History of the Bennitt Family in England
The surname Bennitt is a variant of the name Bennett, which traces its origins back to the medieval period as a shortened form of the Latin name Benedictus, meaning blessed. By the early 17th century, the family had established a notable presence in the city of Worcester, England. Records confirm that members of the Bennitt family were living in this historic cathedral city as early as 1620, a time when the region was a center for trade and religious activity. During this era, families often settled in urban hubs like Worcester to participate in the growing cloth industry or to serve the local government. Because the name was passed down through generations, it became deeply rooted in the local community, reflecting the social and economic changes that defined life in England during the early modern period.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Benedictus
Latin for blessed or well spoken of.
This name
BennittA patronymic surname derived from a medieval diminutive form of Benedict, signifying son of the blessed one.
also spelled
Bennet
Related arms
Bennetvariant spelling
Liveseyrecorded with Bennitt, same area
Documented Sources
Sir Bernard Burke, The General Armory of England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales, London: Harrison & Sons, 1884
Reaney, P.H. and Wilson, R.M., A Dictionary of English Surnames, 1991
Worcestershire Archive and Archaeology Service, Parish Registers of Worcester, 1620
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
chevronProtection, and faithful service completed
martletA younger son, who must win his own land
ringFidelity, and a promise kept
chevronProtection, and faithful service completed
martletA younger son, who must win his own land
ringFidelity, and a promise kept
