Map of England showing where the Cooney arms are recorded
The Cooney arms were recorded in Lincoln, c. 1620.
Lincolnshire was rich farming country, and its wealth was spread across many middling families. Households of that size bought land and took arms, and the county holds a large share of English names.
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 Cooney 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 Lincoln.
Origin & History of the Cooney Family in England
The surname Cooney has deep roots that stretch back to early Gaelic origins in Ireland, where it evolved from the name Ó Cuana. This name is thought to mean descendant of the handsome or elegant one. While the family is famously associated with Irish history, members of the Cooney lineage were established in Lincoln, England, as early as 1620. During this period, the family likely integrated into the local community through trade or craftsmanship, which was common for families moving across the Irish Sea. These early settlers helped shape the local records of the city, leaving behind a legacy that reflects the movement of people between Ireland and England during the seventeenth century. By settling in Lincoln, the Cooney family became part of the broader history of migration that defined the era.
Cooney Meaning & Related Branches
Root word
Cuinne
An Irish Gaelic word meaning corner or angle.
This name
CooneyDerived from a nickname for someone living near a corner or a sharp bend.
also spelled
Cony
Conie
Documented Sources
Sir Bernard Burke, The General Armory of England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales, London: Harrison & Sons, 1884
Woulfe, Patrick. Sloinnte Gaedheal is Gall: Irish Names and Surnames. 1923
MacLysaght, Edward. The Surnames of Ireland. 1985
Lincolnshire Archives, Lincoln City Council Records: Parish Registers of St. Mary-le-Wigford
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
fessThe military belt, and readiness to serve
rabbitOne who lives peaceably and well
escallopThe pilgrim's shell, and a long journey made
fessThe military belt, and readiness to serve
rabbitOne who lives peaceably and well
escallopThe pilgrim's shell, and a long journey made
