A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Beny family of England.
Reg. 7470 · English, A–C
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
cross symbolChristian faith and service
lionCourage, strength and royalty
Colours
Blue (Azure)Means: Loyalty and truth
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)
“Az. a cross betw. four lions ramp. or”
CumberlandCumberland, c. 1620
Where the Beny Arms Were Recorded
Cumberland
Map of England showing where the Beny arms are recorded
The Beny arms were recorded in Cumberland, c. 1620.
Cumberland was rough border country in the north-west, facing Scotland across a disputed line. Its families held land in return for keeping it defended, and men who fought carried shields of their own.
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 Beny 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 Cumberland.
Origin & History of the Beny Family in England
The family name Beny has deep roots in the rugged landscape of Cumberland, where records confirm members of the family were established by the year 1620. During this period, the region was defined by its proximity to the border between England and Scotland, a place where families often relied on agriculture and local trade to survive. The name itself likely evolved from older linguistic traditions, possibly serving as a shortened form of names like Benjamin or Benedict, which were common throughout northern England. As the Beny family settled into the local community, they became part of the social fabric of the county, living through an era of significant political and religious change. By maintaining a presence in Cumberland for centuries, the family contributed to the unique cultural identity of the region, leaving behind a legacy tied to the history of the English borderlands.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Benedictus
Latin for blessed or well spoken of.
This name
BenyA patronymic surname derived from a shortened form of the name Benedict.
also spelled
Beney
Benie
Bennie
Bennis
Related arms
Bennie, Benzie, Binnie, or Bennyvariant spelling
Bennisvariant spelling
Documented Sources
Sir Bernard Burke, The General Armory of England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales, London: Harrison & Sons, 1884
Cumberland and Westmorland Antiquarian and Archaeological Society, Transactions of the Cumberland and Westmorland Antiquarian and Archaeological Society, 1901
National Archives, Quarter Sessions Records for the County of Cumberland, 1620
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
cross symbolChristian faith and service
lionCourage, strength and royalty
cross symbolChristian faith and service
lionCourage, strength and royalty
