A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Cercy family of England.
Reg. 6838 · English, A–C
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
saltireResolution, and St Andrew's cross
chiefAuthority, wisdom and dominion
cinquefoilHope and joy
Colours
Silver (Argent)Means: Peace and sincerity
Black (Sable)Means: Constancy
Blue (Azure)Means: Loyalty and truth
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)
“Ar. a saltire sa. on a chief az. three cinquefoils or”
Englandc. 1620
Where the Cercy Arms Were Recorded
York
Map of England showing where the Cercy arms are recorded
The Cercy 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 Cercy 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 Cercy Family in England
The family name Cercy carries a history deeply rooted in the social shifts of seventeenth-century England. By 1620, records confirm 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 and administration, attracting families who were often involved in local commerce or skilled craftsmanship. The name itself likely evolved from regional dialects or topographical descriptions common in medieval naming practices, reflecting the family's transition from rural origins into the urban life of a major cathedral city. As the family integrated into the community, they became part of the fabric of York’s daily life, contributing to the local economy and the steady growth of the city’s population during a time of significant national change.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Circeius
A Latin name derived from the mythological figure Circe.
This name
CercyA locational surname referring to individuals from the town of Cerisy in Normandy, France.
also spelled
Cersey
Sercy
Sersey
Related arms
Corysame arms
Documented Sources
Sir Bernard Burke, The General Armory of England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales, London: Harrison & Sons, 1884
Palliser, D.M., Tudor York, 1979
York City Archives, York House Books, 1620
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
saltireResolution, and St Andrew's cross
chiefAuthority, wisdom and dominion
cinquefoilHope and joy
saltireResolution, and St Andrew's cross
chiefAuthority, wisdom and dominion
cinquefoilHope and joy
