A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Benny family of England.
Reg. 2353 · English, A–C
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
fessThe military belt, and readiness to serve
lionCourage, strength and royalty
Colours
Red (Gules)Means: Military strength
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)
“Quarterly, per fesse indented gu. and or, in the first quarter a lion pass. guard. ar”
Englandc. 1620
Where the Benny Arms Were Recorded
York
Map of England showing where the Benny arms are recorded
The Benny 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 Benny 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 Benny Family in England
The surname Benny has deep roots in the northern English city of York, where records confirm the family was well-established by the year 1620. The name likely originated as a shortened version of the name Benedict, which was a popular choice during the Middle Ages because it means blessed. In the early seventeenth century, families in York often lived near the city walls or worked in the bustling trade guilds that defined the local economy. As the Benny family grew, they became part of the social fabric of this historic cathedral city, living through a time of great change in England. By settling in York, the early members of the family were positioned in one of the most important administrative and religious centers in the country, which allowed them to leave behind clear traces in local parish registers and legal documents.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Benedictus
Latin term meaning blessed or well spoken of.
This name
BennyA diminutive form of Benjamin or Benedict, signifying a blessed or favored individual.
also spelled
Bennie
Benney
Bennis
Related arms
Belsinsame arms
Begfynsimilar arms
Besvillesimilar arms
Bennie, Benzie, Binnie, or Bennyvariant 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
Borthwick Institute for Archives, York Diocesan Archive: Parish Register Transcripts, 1620
Reaney, Percy Hide, 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.
fessThe military belt, and readiness to serve
lionCourage, strength and royalty
fessThe military belt, and readiness to serve
lionCourage, strength and royalty
