A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Dunning family lines. Documented in 2 countries.
Reg. 3274 · Britain, D–F
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
lionCourage, strength and royalty
Colours
Gold (Or)Means: Generosity
Black (Sable)Means: Constancy
Historical info
Source
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Blazon (the actual original written record)
“Coticé en barre d'or et de pourpre de quatorze pièces; au lion de sa., br. sur le tout. C.: une tête et col d'antelope d'arg. S.: deux antelopes au nat., coll. d'or. D.: STUDIIS ET REBUS HONESTIS.”
DevonshireDevonshire, c. 1700
Where the Dunning Arms Were Recorded
Devonshire
Map of Britain showing where the Dunning arms are recorded
The Dunning arms were recorded in Devonshire, c. 1700.
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 Britain in this period.
William III of England
Sovereign of the period
William III of England
1694–1702
Reigning in Britain when the Dunning arms are first recorded.
How Arms Worked in Britain
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 Devonshire.
Origin & History of the Dunning Family in Britain
The surname Dunning originates from Old English roots, likely evolving from the personal name Dunn, which refers to a person with dark or swarthy features. By the time the name became established in Britain, it was primarily associated with families living in the southwestern regions of the country. Historical records confirm that the family had a strong presence in Devonshire by the year 1700, where they were often involved in local agriculture and trade. During this era, families in Devon were deeply connected to the rural landscape, and the Dunning name appeared frequently in parish registers that tracked births, marriages, and deaths. As the family grew, they became part of the social fabric of the West Country, contributing to the development of local communities through their work and civic participation. This early history reflects a pattern of stability, as many Dunning families remained in the same regions for generations, helping to shape the identity of the Devonshire countryside.
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
lionCourage, strength and royalty
Colours
Gold (Or)Means: Generosity
Black (Sable)Means: Constancy
Green (Vert)Means: Hope
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)
“Bendy sinister of fourteen or and vert, over all a lion ramp. sa”
Englandc. 1782
Where the Dunning Arms Were Recorded
York
Map of England showing where the Dunning arms are recorded
The Dunning arms were recorded in England, c. 1782.
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.
George III of Great Britain
Sovereign of the period
George III of Great Britain
1760–1801
Reigning in Britain when the Dunning 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 Dunning Family in England
The surname Dunning originates from Old English roots, likely evolving from the personal name Dun or Dunn, which translates to "dark" or "brown." This descriptive term was often used as a nickname for individuals with a dark complexion or hair. By the time the name became established in England, it was primarily concentrated in the northern regions, particularly around Yorkshire. While the family had deep roots in the area for generations, official documentation confirms their presence in the city of York by 1782. During this period, the Dunning family was part of the growing urban population that contributed to the local trade and social fabric of northern England. As the name spread throughout the country, it remained tied to its Anglo-Saxon origins, reflecting a long history of families who lived and worked in the English countryside and expanding industrial towns.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Dun
Old English term for a dark-colored hill or mountain.
This name
DunningDerived from a nickname for a person with a dark or swarthy complexion.
also spelled
Duning
Dunnyng
Dunyng
Related arms
Dunyngvariant spelling
Documented Sources
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Bardsley, Charles Wareing, A Dictionary of English and Welsh Surnames, 1901
Reaney, P.H., A Dictionary of British Surnames, 1958
Devon Archives and Local Studies Service, Parish Registers of Devon, 1700
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lionCourage, strength and royalty
lionCourage, strength and royalty
