A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Benyon family of England.
Reg. 5389 · English, A–C
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
chiefAuthority, wisdom and dominion
mulletThe third son, and a divine quality from above
Colours
Gold (Or)Means: Generosity
Black (Sable)Means: Constancy
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)
“Vaire, ar. and sa. on a chief or, three mullets of the second”
SussexEsmondum · Sussex, c. 1620
Where the Benyon Arms Were Recorded
Sussex
Map of England showing where the Benyon arms are recorded
The Benyon arms were recorded in Sussex, c. 1620.
Sussex had ironworks in its woods and good farmland on its downs. Both made money, and families who made it bought manors, which is what put their names in the heraldic records.
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 Benyon 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 Sussex.
Origin & History of the Benyon Family in England
The surname Benyon has deep roots in the English landscape, with historical records confirming that members of the family were established in the county of Sussex by the year 1620. The name itself is generally considered a variant of the Welsh name Ap Eynon, which translates to son of Eynon. Over many generations, the pronunciation shifted as the name moved from Wales into the southern regions of England, eventually settling into the spelling we recognize today. By the early seventeenth century, families bearing this name were often integrated into local agricultural or trade communities. Living in Sussex during this period meant the Benyons were part of a region known for its iron industry and coastal commerce, which likely shaped the daily lives and occupations of those early ancestors.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
ap Eynon
Welsh patronymic prefix meaning son of Eynon.
This name
BenyonDerived from the Welsh personal name Eynon, which signifies justice or purity.
also spelled
Benyoun
Benyan
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
Reaney, P.H., A Dictionary of British Surnames, 1958
The National Archives, Probate records of the Prerogative Court of Canterbury, PROB 11
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
chiefAuthority, wisdom and dominion
mulletThe third son, and a divine quality from above
chiefAuthority, wisdom and dominion
mulletThe third son, and a divine quality from above
