A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Charney family of England.
Reg. 3838 · English, A–C
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
escallopThe pilgrim's shell, and a long journey made
Colours
Red (Gules)Means: Military strength
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)
“Gu. three escallops ar”
Englandc. 1620
Where the Charney Arms Were Recorded
York
Map of England showing where the Charney arms are recorded
The Charney 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 Charney 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 Charney Family in England
The surname Charney is believed to have originated as a locational name, likely derived from places in France such as Charny. Families carrying this name often moved across borders during periods of migration and trade. By the year 1620, records confirm that members of the Charney family were established in the historic city of York in England. At that time, York was a bustling center of commerce and religion, which made it an attractive destination for families seeking new opportunities. These early settlers likely worked in local trades or crafts that supported the growing urban economy of the seventeenth century. Over the generations, the family became integrated into the local community, leaving behind a legacy that reflects the movement of people across Europe during the early modern period.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
charnier
Old French term for a charnel house or burial ground.
This name
CharneyA topographic name for someone who lived near a graveyard or burial site.
also spelled
Charnee
Charnie
Charneigh
Charneis
Related arms
Charneisvariant spelling
Documented Sources
Sir Bernard Burke, The General Armory of England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales, London: Harrison & Sons, 1884
Reaney, P.H. and Wilson, R.M., A Dictionary of English Surnames, 1991
Bardsley, Charles Wareing, A Dictionary of English and Welsh Surnames, 1901
The National Archives, State Papers Domestic, James I, 1620
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escallopThe pilgrim's shell, and a long journey made
escallopThe pilgrim's shell, and a long journey made
