Map of England showing where the Comyns arms are recorded
The Comyns 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 Comyns 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 Comyns Family in England
The surname Comyns is a variation of the name Comyn, which has deep roots in the history of Northern England and Scotland. By the early 17th century, the family had established a notable presence in the city of York, as evidenced by records dating back to 1620. During this period, York was a major hub for trade and administration, and families like the Comyns often held roles within the local merchant guilds or the church. The name itself is thought to be derived from the Old French word for a guest or a companion, suggesting that the earliest ancestors may have been travelers or traders who settled in these northern regions. As the family grew in York, they became part of the social fabric of the city, contributing to its development during a time of significant change in English society. Their presence in 1620 marks a period where the family was well-integrated into the local community, living and working alongside other established families of the era.
Comyns Meaning & Related Branches
Root word
Comines
A place name referring to a town in northern France.
This name
ComynsA locational surname originally denoting someone who hailed from the town of Comines.
also spelled
Cummings
Cumins
Related arms
Viellrecorded with Comyns, same area
Whitingrecorded with Comyns, same area
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
Reaney, P.H., A Dictionary of British Surnames, 1958
York City Archives, York City Chamberlains' Accounts, 1620
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
buckleFidelity, and a bond firmly held
buckleFidelity, and a bond firmly held
