A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Cranwell family lines. Documented in 2 countries.
Reg. 4618 · English, A–C
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
saltireResolution, and St Andrew's cross
crescentHonour by the sovereign, and the second son
Colours
Gold (Or)Means: Generosity
Red (Gules)Means: Military strength
Black (Sable)Means: Constancy
Silver (Argent)Means: Peace and sincerity
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)
“Per saltire or and gu. over all a saltire sa. charged with a crescent ar”
KentKent, c. 1620
Where the Cranwell Arms Were Recorded
Kent
Map of England showing where the Cranwell arms are recorded
The Cranwell 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 Cranwell 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 Cranwell Family in England
The family name Cranwell is rooted in the landscape of medieval England, originating as a locational surname derived from small settlements or geographic features. While the name is famously associated with the village of Cranwell in Lincolnshire, historical records confirm that members of the family had established a notable presence in the county of Kent by the early 17th century. During this period, the Cranwells were part of the shifting social fabric of southeastern England, a region defined by its proximity to London and its role in international trade. As the family settled into Kentish life by 1620, they became part of the local agrarian and civic communities that characterized the English countryside before the onset of the Civil War. This migration from the northern midlands to the southern coast reflects the broader movement of families seeking new economic opportunities and land ownership during the late Tudor and early Stuart eras.
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
fessThe military belt, and readiness to serve
heronPatience and quiet watchfulness
crownSovereignty, authority and just reward
Colours
Silver (Argent)Means: Peace and sincerity
Red (Gules)Means: Military strength
Gold (Or)Means: Generosity
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 fess betw. three cranes close gu. a mural crown or”
DublinDublin, c. 1658
Where the Cranwell Arms Were Recorded
Dublin
Map of Ireland showing where the Cranwell arms are recorded
The Cranwell arms were recorded in Dublin, c. 1658.
Dublin was the seat of government in Ireland and the place where grants were sought and recorded. Families with business at the castle or the courts settled nearby, and settling there put their arms on record.
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 Ireland in this period.
How Arms Worked in Ireland
The Ulster King of Arms granted coats of arms to individuals who proved their social standing and good character. These symbols were typically inherited by all legitimate descendants of the original holder. If a family branch wanted a unique look, they could apply for a specific change to their design through the office to ensure their identity remained distinct.
Granting authority
The Ulster King of Arms acted as the official body that regulated and issued all coats of arms throughout Ireland.
How they got arms
Families obtained their arms through formal grants issued by the office after proving their eligibility and paying the required fees.
Where arms were recorded
All official grants were recorded in the registers held by the Ulster King of Arms starting from the year 1552.
The family's standing
Recorded among the armigerous families of Dublin.
Origin & History of the Cranwell Family in Ireland
The Cranwell family name first appeared in the historical record of Ireland during the mid-seventeenth century, specifically within the bustling urban environment of Dublin. By 1658, members of the family were firmly established in the city, likely arriving as part of the significant social and administrative shifts occurring in Ireland at that time. During this period, Dublin served as a primary hub for new settlers and merchants who were integrating into the local economy and legal systems. While the name itself has roots that trace back to English locations, its presence in Ireland reflects the broader patterns of migration and professional movement that defined the seventeenth century. These early Cranwell residents in Dublin were part of a growing community that helped shape the city’s administrative and commercial landscape during a time of intense political change.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Crane and well
A large wading bird and a natural water spring or source.
This name
CranwellA topographical name for someone who lived near a spring frequented by cranes.
also spelled
Cranwill
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, PRC 17
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
saltireResolution, and St Andrew's cross
crescentHonour by the sovereign, and the second son
saltireResolution, and St Andrew's cross
crescentHonour by the sovereign, and the second son
fessThe military belt, and readiness to serve
heronPatience and quiet watchfulness
crownSovereignty, authority and just reward
