A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Charnock family of England.
Reg. 2755 · English, A–C
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
bendDefence, and the scarf of a commander
crescentHonour by the sovereign, and the second son
Colours
Black (Sable)Means: Constancy
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)
“Sa. on a bend ar. three crescents of the field”
CheshireCheshire, c. 1620
Where the Charnock Arms Were Recorded
Cheshire
Map of England showing where the Charnock arms are recorded
The Charnock arms were recorded in Cheshire, c. 1620.
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 Charnock 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 Cheshire.
Origin & History of the Charnock Family in England
The surname Charnock is a locative name, meaning it originated from a specific place rather than an occupation or a personal trait. It is derived from the Old English words for a clearing where oak trees grew. By the early 17th century, the family had established a notable presence in the county of Cheshire, where they were integrated into the local social and economic landscape. During this period, families in Cheshire often held land or worked in trades that tied them closely to the rural development of the region. As the name spread from its geographic roots, members of the Charnock family became part of the growing administrative and agricultural history of North West England. Their presence in 1620 suggests a family that was well-settled and active in the community life of the Cheshire parishes long before the industrial changes of later centuries.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Cernoc
Old English elements meaning a dark or black oak tree.
This name
CharnockDerived from a place name in Lancashire referring to a dark-colored oak forest.
also spelled
Charnok
Charnoke
Documented Sources
Sir Bernard Burke, The General Armory of England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales, London: Harrison & Sons, 1884
Bardsley, Charles Wareing, A Dictionary of English and Welsh Surnames, 1901
Cheshire Archives and Local Studies, Bishop's Transcripts of Cheshire Parish Registers, 1620
Mills, Anthony David, A Dictionary of English Place-Names, 1991
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
bendDefence, and the scarf of a commander
crescentHonour by the sovereign, and the second son
bendDefence, and the scarf of a commander
crescentHonour by the sovereign, and the second son
