A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Denne family of England.
Reg. 7473 · English, D–F
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
chevronProtection, and faithful service completed
fleur de lisPurity, light, and the sixth son
Colours
Silver (Argent)Means: Peace and sincerity
Red (Gules)Means: Military strength
Blue (Azure)Means: Loyalty and truth
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. a chev. wavy gu. betw. three fleurs-de-lis az”
KentKent, c. 1620
Where the Denne Arms Were Recorded
Kent
Map of England showing where the Denne arms are recorded
The Denne 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 Denne 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 Denne Family in England
The family name Denne has deep roots in the county of Kent, where members of the family were well-established by the early seventeenth century. The name is considered a topographical surname, which means it likely originated from people who lived near a specific landscape feature. In Old English, the word den or denn referred to a wooded valley or a sheltered pasture used for feeding swine. Families living in or near these wooded areas often adopted the name to identify themselves within their local community. By 1620, the Denne family was already a recognized part of the Kentish landscape, participating in the agricultural and social life of the region. Their presence in this part of England suggests that they were long-standing inhabitants who helped shape the rural history of the county through generations of farming and land management.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
denu
Old English term for a valley or deep wooded hollow.
This name
DenneA topographic name for someone who lived in or near a valley.
also spelled
Den
Related arms
Dennsame arms
Denvariant 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 British Surnames, 1958
Kent Archives, Archdeaconry 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.
chevronProtection, and faithful service completed
fleur de lisPurity, light, and the sixth son
chevronProtection, and faithful service completed
fleur de lisPurity, light, and the sixth son
