Map of England showing where the Boyne arms are recorded
The Boyne 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 Boyne 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 Boyne Family in England
The family name Boyne is deeply rooted in the history of Northern England, with clear evidence placing early members in the city of York by the year 1620. The name is often linked to geographical origins, likely derived from the River Boyne in Ireland or specific locations in Scotland, suggesting that the family may have migrated across the Irish Sea before establishing a permanent presence in Yorkshire. During the early seventeenth century, York was a bustling center of trade and religious activity, and families like the Boynes were often involved in the local merchant guilds or skilled trades that supported the city’s economy. As they settled into this urban environment, the family became part of the social fabric of the region, living through a period of significant political and religious change in England. By maintaining a steady presence in York, these early ancestors helped establish the name as a recognized part of the local community for generations to come.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Bóinn
Old Irish term referring to a river goddess or white cow.
This name
BoyneDerived from the River Boyne in Ireland, denoting a dweller near the river.
also spelled
Binns
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
York City Archives, York Freemen’s Register, 1272–1759
Reaney, P.H., 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.
mulletThe third son, and a divine quality from above
crescentHonour by the sovereign, and the second son
mulletThe third son, and a divine quality from above
crescentHonour by the sovereign, and the second son
