A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Dunk family of England.
Reg. 4834 · English, D–F
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
lionCourage, strength and royalty
Colours
Silver (Argent)Means: Peace and sincerity
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's head erased gu”
Englandc. 1620
Where the Dunk Arms Were Recorded
York
Map of England showing where the Dunk arms are recorded
The Dunk 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 Dunk 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 Dunk Family in England
The surname Dunk is believed to have originated in England as a descriptive name or a nickname rooted in Old English linguistic traditions. By the early 17th century, the family had established a notable presence in the historic city of York. Records confirm that members of the Dunk family were living in this region by 1620, a time when York served as a major center for trade and religious life in Northern England. Families during this era often settled in specific parishes where they contributed to the local economy as craftsmen or merchants. Because the name is relatively rare, it suggests that the early Dunk ancestors likely maintained strong regional ties to Yorkshire for several generations before spreading to other parts of the country.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Dun
Old English term referring to a hill or a dark color.
This name
DunkA topographical name for someone who lived on or near a hill.
also spelled
Dunck
Duncke
Documented Sources
Sir Bernard Burke, The General Armory of England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales, London: Harrison & Sons, 1884
Reaney, P.H., A Dictionary of English Surnames, 1991
Cottle, Basil, The Penguin Dictionary of Surnames, 1967
Borthwick Institute for Archives, York Diocesan Probate Records, 1620
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lionCourage, strength and royalty
lionCourage, strength and royalty
