A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Dorney family of England.
Reg. 8444 · English, D–F
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
cinquefoilHope and joy
trefoilPerpetuity, and the Trinity
Colours
Gold (Or)Means: Generosity
Red (Gules)Means: Military strength
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, or and gu. in chief two cinquefoils, in base a trefoil slipped, all counterchanged”
Englandc. 1620
Where the Dorney Arms Were Recorded
York
Map of England showing where the Dorney arms are recorded
The Dorney 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 Dorney 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 Dorney Family in England
The Dorney family name has roots that trace back to the medieval period in England, where it likely functioned as a topographic surname for people living near a specific landmark or settlement. By the early 17th century, the family had established a notable presence in the historic city of York. Records confirm that members of the Dorney family were living in York by 1620, a time when the city served as a major northern hub for trade and administration. During this era, families with this name were often involved in local commerce or the skilled trades that supported the growing urban population. As they integrated into the community, the Dorney name became a permanent part of the local history, reflecting the broader patterns of migration and family settlement that defined English life during the Stuart period.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Dorn
Old English term for a thorn bush or bramble.
This name
DorneyA habitational name for someone who lived near a prominent thorn bush or thicket.
also spelled
Dornay
Dornie
Dornye
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
York City Archives, York City Chamberlains' Account Rolls, 1620
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
cinquefoilHope and joy
trefoilPerpetuity, and the Trinity
cinquefoilHope and joy
trefoilPerpetuity, and the Trinity
