A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Dancey family of England.
Reg. 1266 · English, D–F
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
lionCourage, strength and royalty
dragonA most valiant defender of treasure
Colours
Blue (Azure)Means: Loyalty and truth
Gold (Or)Means: Generosity
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)
“Az. a lion or, and a dragon ar. erect and combatant”
BerksBerks, c. 1620
Where the Dancey Arms Were Recorded
Berks
Map of England showing where the Dancey arms are recorded
The Dancey arms were recorded in Berks, c. 1620.
Berkshire sat on the road west from London with the royal castle at Windsor in the middle of it. Court families bought estates within reach, and an estate near the court almost always came with a coat 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 Dancey 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 Berks.
Origin & History of the Dancey Family in England
The family name Dancey is believed to have originated in England as a topographic or locative surname, likely derived from the Old French term "d’Ansy," which refers to someone hailing from the town of Ansy in Normandy. By the early 17th century, the family had firmly established roots in the county of Berkshire. Records from 1620 confirm that members of the Dancey family were active residents in this region during the reign of King James I. During this era, families in Berkshire were often involved in local agriculture and the thriving wool trade, which served as the backbone of the English economy. As the family grew, they became integrated into the local parish life, leaving behind records in baptismal registers and land deeds that track their movement through the English countryside. These early ancestors helped shape the local community, living through a period of significant social and political change in British history.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
dancier
Old French term meaning to dance or move rhythmically.
This name
DanceyAn occupational name for a professional dancer or a performer in medieval times.
also spelled
Danceie
Dauncey
Dancy
Related arms
Dancesimilar arms
Dannsey, or Dansiesimilar arms
Dawnseysimilar arms
Dancyvariant spelling
Documented Sources
Sir Bernard Burke, The General Armory of England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales, London: Harrison & Sons, 1884
Reaney, P.H., A Dictionary of English Surnames, 1958
Bardsley, Charles Wareing, A Dictionary of English and Welsh Surnames, 1901
Berkshire Record Office, Parish Registers of Berkshire, 1620
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
lionCourage, strength and royalty
dragonA most valiant defender of treasure
lionCourage, strength and royalty
dragonA most valiant defender of treasure
