A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Cayne family of England.
Reg. 0170 · English, A–C
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
eagleNobility, strength and a keen mind
Colours
Blue (Azure)Means: Loyalty and truth
Silver (Argent)Means: Peace and sincerity
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)
“Az. an eagle displ. ar”
Englandc. 1620
Where the Cayne Arms Were Recorded
York
Map of England showing where the Cayne arms are recorded
The Cayne 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 Cayne 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 Cayne Family in England
The family name Cayne carries a rich history that traces back to the bustling city of York in the early seventeenth century. By 1620, records confirm that members of the family were already established residents within this historic northern English hub. During this period, York served as a major center for trade and religious life, meaning the Cayne family likely participated in the local merchant guilds or the skilled craft industries that defined the city. As the name appears in local documentation from this era, it suggests that the family was part of the growing middle class that helped shape the social and economic landscape of Yorkshire. Over time, the name evolved through various spellings, reflecting the way names were recorded by clerks who often wrote them based on how they sounded in the local dialect. This early presence in York provides a clear starting point for the family, grounding their origins in a city known for its deep roots and long-standing traditions.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Cain
Derived from the Hebrew word meaning acquired or possessed.
This name
CayneA locational surname referring to people from Caen in Normandy, France.
also spelled
Cayen
Cayene
Caine
Caines
Related arms
Caine, or Cainvariant spelling
Caines, or Kaynesvariant spelling
Canevariant spelling
Documented Sources
Sir Bernard Burke, The General Armory of England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales, London: Harrison & Sons, 1884
Baines, Edward. History, Directory and Gazetteer of the County of York. 1822
Borthwick Institute for Archives, University of York. York Diocesan Probate Records
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
eagleNobility, strength and a keen mind
eagleNobility, strength and a keen mind
