A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Bonett family of England.
Reg. 7291 · English, A–C
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
chequyConstancy, and the counting-board
chiefAuthority, wisdom and dominion
Colours
Gold (Or)Means: Generosity
Blue (Azure)Means: Loyalty and truth
Red (Gules)Means: Military strength
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)
“Chequy or and gu. a chief az”
Englandc. 1620
Where the Bonett Arms Were Recorded
York
Map of England showing where the Bonett arms are recorded
The Bonett 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 Bonett 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 Bonett Family in England
The family name Bonett has deep roots that connect to the social and economic landscape of seventeenth-century England. By the year 1620, records indicate that members of the family were established in the historic city of York. During this period, York served as a vital northern hub for trade, religion, and administration, suggesting that the early Bonetts were likely integrated into the urban life of a growing mercantile center. The name itself is thought to be a variation of medieval occupational or descriptive surnames, often linked to the French word for a type of head covering. As these individuals settled in York, they participated in the daily rhythms of a city defined by its ancient walls and expanding craft guilds. Their presence in such a prominent location points to a family that was well-positioned to navigate the shifting political and social currents of early modern Britain.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Bonus
Latin term meaning good or virtuous.
This name
BonettA diminutive form indicating a good or pleasant person, often used as a nickname.
also spelled
Bonnette
Bonitt
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
York City Archives, York City Chamberlains' Accounts, 1620
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
chequyConstancy, and the counting-board
chiefAuthority, wisdom and dominion
chequyConstancy, and the counting-board
chiefAuthority, wisdom and dominion
