A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Cerne family of England.
Reg. 1535 · English, A–C
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
horseReadiness to serve king and country
Colours
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)
“Az. a horse's head couped or”
DorsetMelcombe · Dorset, c. 1427
Where the Cerne Arms Were Recorded
Dorset
Map of England showing where the Cerne arms are recorded
The Cerne arms were recorded in Dorset, c. 1427.
Dorset was quiet farming and grazing country along the south coast. Its gentry were middling rather than grand, but they held their manors for a very long time, and long holding is what puts a name in the 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.
Henry VI of England
Sovereign of the period
Henry VI of England
1422–1461
Reigning in England when the Cerne 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 Dorset.
Origin & History of the Cerne Family in England
The surname Cerne originates from the ancient landscape of Dorset, England, where the family was firmly established by the early fifteenth century. The name is locational in origin, meaning it was likely adopted by individuals who lived near or originated from the village of Cerne Abbas. This area is famous for the Cerne Abbas Giant, a massive chalk figure carved into the hillside that has defined the local geography for centuries. In 1427, records confirm that members of the Cerne family held status and land within this region, suggesting they were well-integrated into the local rural economy. Over time, the family name became closely linked to the history of the Dorset countryside, reflecting the deep connection between medieval English surnames and the specific places where families first built their homes.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Cern
Derived from the Celtic word for a horn or antler.
This name
CerneA locational surname referring to someone living near the River Cerne in Dorset.
Documented Sources
Sir Bernard Burke, The General Armory of England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales, London: Harrison & Sons, 1884
Hutchins, John. The History and Antiquities of the County of Dorset. 1774
The National Archives. Court of Common Pleas: Plea Rolls, CP 40/666. 1427
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horseReadiness to serve king and country
horseReadiness to serve king and country
