A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Cosens family of England.
Reg. 9744 · English, A–C
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
bendDefence, and the scarf of a commander
dragonA most valiant defender of treasure
dovePeace, love and the Holy Spirit
Colours
Silver (Argent)Means: Peace and sincerity
Red (Gules)Means: Military strength
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)
“Ar. on a bend betw. two dragons' head couped gu. three doves of the field”
Englandc. 1620
Where the Cosens Arms Were Recorded
York
Map of England showing where the Cosens arms are recorded
The Cosens 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 Cosens 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 Cosens Family in England
The surname Cosens is a patronymic name, which means it originally identified a person as the son or descendant of someone named Cousin. In the Middle Ages, this term was often used as a nickname for a close relative or a term of endearment among friends. By the early 17th century, the family had established a clear presence in the historic city of York. Records from 1620 confirm that members of the Cosens family were living and working within this northern English hub, which was a major center for trade and religion at the time. As the family grew, they became integrated into the local community, contributing to the social and economic life of the city. Over the following generations, the spelling of the name evolved slightly, but the family remained rooted in the traditions and records of the Yorkshire region.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Cousin
Derived from the Old French term for a kinsman or relative.
This name
CosensA patronymic or descriptive name indicating a person who was a relative or kinsman.
also spelled
Cozens
Cosins
Cossen
Related arms
Cosinsvariant spelling
Cossenvariant spelling
Cosyns, or Cosinsvariant spelling
Cozensvariant 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, 1997
Bardsley, Charles Wareing, A Dictionary of English and Welsh Surnames, 1901
Borthwick Institute for Archives, York Diocesan Probate Records, 1620
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
dragonA most valiant defender of treasure
dovePeace, love and the Holy Spirit
bendDefence, and the scarf of a commander
dragonA most valiant defender of treasure
dovePeace, love and the Holy Spirit
