A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Bonnington family of England.
Reg. 7156 · English, A–C
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
chevronProtection, and faithful service completed
roseThe seventh son, and beauty with grace
Colours
Black (Sable)Means: Constancy
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)
“Sa. a chev. betw. three roses or”
DerbyBarrowcote · Derby, c. 1620
Where the Bonnington Arms Were Recorded
Derby
Map of England showing where the Bonnington arms are recorded
The Bonnington arms were recorded in Derby, c. 1620.
Derbyshire had lead mines in its hills and good grazing in its valleys. Both made steady money, and families who made it bought manors, which is what put their names into 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 Bonnington 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 Derby.
Origin & History of the Bonnington Family in England
The surname Bonnington is a locational name, which means it was originally taken from a specific place rather than a trade or a personal characteristic. The name likely refers to one of several villages in England, such as Bonnington in Kent or Bonnington in Nottinghamshire, where early residents were identified by the town they called home. By the year 1620, the family had established a notable presence in Derby, a town that served as a vital center for trade and industry in the East Midlands. During this period, families in Derby were often involved in the growing textile and metalworking sectors that defined the region. As the family settled into the local community, they became part of the social fabric of the town, contributing to the development of the area throughout the seventeenth century. The migration of the name from rural villages to a bustling market town like Derby reflects the broader movement of people seeking new opportunities in England during the early modern era.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Buna
Old English word for a rustic or a peasant.
This name
BonningtonRefers to a settlement or farmstead belonging to a person named Buna.
also spelled
Boninton
Bonyngton
Bonnyngton
Documented Sources
Sir Bernard Burke, The General Armory of England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales, London: Harrison & Sons, 1884
Reaney, P.H., A Dictionary of English Surnames, 1958
Ekwall, Eilert, The Concise Oxford Dictionary of English Place-names, 1960
Derbyshire Record Office, Derby St Alkmund Parish Registers, 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
roseThe seventh son, and beauty with grace
chevronProtection, and faithful service completed
roseThe seventh son, and beauty with grace
