A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Dring family of England.
Reg. 0548 · English, D–F
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
paleMilitary strength, and a fortified defence
lionCourage, strength and royalty
Colours
Silver (Argent)Means: Peace and sincerity
Blue (Azure)Means: Loyalty and truth
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)
“Ar. a lion pass. gu. surmounted by a pale az”
Englandc. 1620
Where the Dring Arms Were Recorded
York
Map of England showing where the Dring arms are recorded
The Dring 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 Dring 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 Dring Family in England
The surname Dring is rooted in the northern regions of England, with a particularly strong historical presence in the city of York. Etymologists often link the name to the Old Norse word *drengr*, which originally described a brave warrior or a free tenant farmer. By the time the name appeared in York records during the early 17th century, the family had established itself within the local community as active participants in the city’s trade and civic life. These early Drings were likely part of the growing merchant class that helped define York as a bustling hub of commerce. Because the name evolved from a term describing social status and character, it suggests that the earliest ancestors were recognized for their independence and reliability within their neighborhood. Over the following decades, the family continued to integrate into the fabric of northern English society, leaving behind a legacy tied to the historic streets and parishes of York.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
dreng
Old Norse term for a free tenant or a young man.
This name
DringA surname denoting a free tenant farmer or a warrior in medieval England.
also spelled
Dryng
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
York City Archives, York City Chamberlains' Account Rolls, 1620
Bardsley, Charles Wareing, A Dictionary of English and Welsh Surnames, 1901
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
paleMilitary strength, and a fortified defence
lionCourage, strength and royalty
paleMilitary strength, and a fortified defence
lionCourage, strength and royalty
