A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Donnison family of England.
Reg. 3840 · English, D–F
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
cross symbolChristian faith and service
lionCourage, strength and royalty
shipEnterprise, and a great voyage undertaken
fishA true and generous mind, and Christian faith
Colours
Red (Gules)Means: Military strength
Blue (Azure)Means: Loyalty and truth
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)
“Quarterly, 1st, gu. a sinister hand fesseways couped, holding a cross crosslet fitchee ar.; 2nd, az. a lion ramp. ar.; 3rd, az. a galley ar.; 4th, sa. a fish ar”
Englandc. 1620
Where the Donnison Arms Were Recorded
York
Map of England showing where the Donnison arms are recorded
The Donnison 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 Donnison 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 Donnison Family in England
The family name Donnison is a patronymic surname, which means it originated as a way to identify a person as the son of someone named Donn or Dunn. This name likely emerged in Northern England, where the linguistic influence of Old Norse and Anglo-Saxon traditions shaped local naming customs. By the year 1620, records confirm that members of the Donnison family were established in the city of York. During this period, York served as a vital regional hub for trade and administration, suggesting that early ancestors were likely involved in the city’s merchant guilds or local craft industries. As the family grew, they became part of the social fabric of Yorkshire, contributing to the development of the city through their work and community roles. The name remains a testament to the family's long-standing roots in this historic northern landscape.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Don
A diminutive form of the name Donald meaning world ruler.
This name
DonnisonA patronymic surname meaning son of Don or son of Donald.
also spelled
Donnyson
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
Borthwick Institute for Archives, York, Archbishop of York Diocesan Records
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
cross symbolChristian faith and service
lionCourage, strength and royalty
shipEnterprise, and a great voyage undertaken
fishA true and generous mind, and Christian faith
cross symbolChristian faith and service
lionCourage, strength and royalty
shipEnterprise, and a great voyage undertaken
fishA true and generous mind, and Christian faith
