A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Cranmer family of England.
Reg. 0502 · English, A–C
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
chevronProtection, and faithful service completed
pelicanSelf-sacrifice and devotion to one's children
cinquefoilHope and joy
Colours
Gold (Or)Means: Generosity
Blue (Azure)Means: Loyalty and truth
Black (Sable)Means: Constancy
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)
“Or, on a chev. az. betw. three pelicans sa. vulning themselves ppr. as many cinquefoils of the field”
KentKent, c. 1620
Where the Cranmer Arms Were Recorded
Kent
Map of England showing where the Cranmer arms are recorded
The Cranmer arms were recorded in Kent, c. 1620.
Kent sits between London and the short crossing to Europe, and the trade passing through made it wealthy. Merchant families bought land with that money, and it was landowners who took coats of 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 Cranmer 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 Kent.
Origin & History of the Cranmer Family in England
The surname Cranmer is of English origin and is primarily associated with the county of Kent, where the family established deep roots by the early seventeenth century. The name is locative, meaning it was likely derived from a specific place name, specifically the parish of Cranmer in Norfolk, or perhaps from a descriptive term referring to a crane-marsh or a place frequented by cranes. By 1620, members of the Cranmer family were well-documented residents of Kent, participating in the local social and economic life of the region. During this period, families in Kent often held land or worked in trades that allowed them to become prominent figures within their parishes. The movement of individuals from places like Norfolk to Kent suggests that the family was mobile and sought new opportunities in the fertile landscapes of southeastern England. Over time, the name became synonymous with the regional identity of Kent, reflecting the steady growth and local influence of the family throughout the late Tudor and early Stuart eras.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
crane
A long-legged wading bird of the Gruidae family.
This name
CranmerA topographic name for someone who lived near a marshy area frequented by cranes.
also spelled
Cranmar
Cranmure
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
Kent Archives, Archdeaconry Court of Canterbury Wills and Administrations, PRC 32
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
pelicanSelf-sacrifice and devotion to one's children
cinquefoilHope and joy
chevronProtection, and faithful service completed
pelicanSelf-sacrifice and devotion to one's children
cinquefoilHope and joy
