Map of England showing where the Bunce arms are recorded
The Bunce arms were recorded in Kent, c. 1620.
Kent sits between London and the short crossing to Europe, and the trade passing through made it wealthy. Merchant families bought land with that money, and it was landowners who took coats of 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 Bunce 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 Kent.
Origin & History of the Bunce Family in England
The surname Bunce is deeply rooted in the history of the English county of Kent, where the family was well-established by the early seventeenth century. Etymologists often link the name to the Old French word bon, which translates to good, suggesting that it may have originated as a descriptive nickname for a person with a pleasant or kind disposition. By 1620, the Bunce family had become prominent members of the local community in Kent, particularly in areas surrounding Canterbury. They were known for their involvement in local administration and land ownership, which helped them secure a stable social standing during a time of significant political and religious change in England. This early presence in the region reflects a pattern of families who settled into specific English counties and maintained their influence through generations of community service and agricultural management.
Bunce Meaning & Related Branches
Root word
bon
Derived from the Old French word meaning good or kind.
This name
BunceA nickname for a good or pleasant person, originating from medieval English.
also spelled
Buns
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
Hasted, Edward, The History and Topographical Survey of the County of Kent, 1797
Kent Archives, Canterbury Cathedral Archives: Bunce Family Papers, U350
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
boarA fierce fighter who battles to the end
eagleNobility, strength and a keen mind
boarA fierce fighter who battles to the end
eagleNobility, strength and a keen mind
