Map of England showing where the Cornish arms are recorded
The Cornish arms were recorded in London, 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 Cornish 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 Cornish Family in England
The surname Cornish originated as a descriptive name for someone who hailed from the county of Cornwall in the southwestern tip of England. During the medieval period, people often adopted names based on their place of origin to help others identify them in a growing society. By the early seventeenth century, members of the Cornish family had migrated from their ancestral roots to the bustling city of London. Records show that by 1620, the family was well-established within the capital, participating in the vibrant trade and social life of the city. This move from a rural coastal region to the center of English political and economic power reflects the broader trend of internal migration that shaped many English families during the Stuart era.
Cornish Meaning & Related Branches
Root word
Cornubia
The Latin name for the region of Cornwall.
This name
CornishA locative surname denoting someone who originated from the county of Cornwall in England.
also spelled
Cornyshe
Related arms
Allensame arms
Eveleighrecorded with Cornish, 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
The National Archives, Prerogative Court of Canterbury Wills, 1384–1858
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
chevronProtection, and faithful service completed
lozengeHonour and nobility, and the arms of a woman
chevronProtection, and faithful service completed
lozengeHonour and nobility, and the arms of a woman
