A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Dennys family of England.
Reg. 9832 · English, D–F
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
chevronProtection, and faithful service completed
crescentHonour by the sovereign, and the second son
Colours
Gold (Or)Means: Generosity
Blue (Azure)Means: Loyalty and truth
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)
“Or, on a chev. az. three crescents ar”
Englandc. 1620
Where the Dennys Arms Were Recorded
York
Map of England showing where the Dennys arms are recorded
The Dennys 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 Dennys 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 Dennys Family in England
The surname Dennys is a variation of the name Dennis, which traces its origins back to the ancient Greek name Dionysius. During the Middle Ages, the name became popular across Europe due to the influence of Saint Denis, who was the patron saint of France. By the time the family established a presence in the city of York around 1620, the name had already been used in England for several centuries. Families living in York during the early seventeenth century often played vital roles in the local trade guilds and the bustling mercantile life of the city. As the Dennys family settled into this historic northern hub, they became part of a long tradition of English citizens who helped shape the social and economic landscape of the region. Their presence in York during this era reflects the broader movement of families who sought stability and opportunity in England’s growing urban centers.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Dionysius
Derived from the Greek god of wine and fertility, Dionysus.
This name
DennysA patronymic surname meaning son of the follower of the god Dionysus.
also spelled
Dennis
Denise
Denis
Related arms
Denisvariant spelling
Dennisvariant 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, 1991
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.
chevronProtection, and faithful service completed
crescentHonour by the sovereign, and the second son
chevronProtection, and faithful service completed
crescentHonour by the sovereign, and the second son
