Map of England showing where the Durnin arms are recorded
The Durnin arms were recorded in Lancaster, c. 1620.
Lancashire was divided among a great many small landed families, more than most northern counties. Estates were passed down whole rather than split up, so the same names hold the same ground for centuries in the records.
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 Durnin 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 Lancaster.
Origin & History of the Durnin Family in England
The Durnin family name has deep roots that trace back to the Gaelic tradition of Ireland, where it likely evolved from the name O’Durnin. This name is derived from the Irish word dorn, which means fist, and it was often used as a descriptive nickname for a person who was strong or physically capable. By the early 17th century, members of the family had established a presence in Lancaster, England. This migration was part of a larger movement of people crossing the Irish Sea to find new opportunities in the growing towns of Northern England. Living in a bustling center like Lancaster, these early Durnins were likely involved in the local trade and craft industries that defined the region during the reign of King James I. Their transition from rural Ireland to an English urban center highlights the resilience and adaptability of the family as they integrated into a new society while maintaining their unique ancestral identity.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Dornan
Derived from the Gaelic word for a fist or small pebble.
This name
DurninAn Anglicized form of the Irish surname O Dornain, meaning descendant of the little fist.
also spelled
Durnyng
Documented Sources
Sir Bernard Burke, The General Armory of England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales, London: Harrison & Sons, 1884
chevronProtection, and faithful service completed
antelopeHarmony, polity and peace
chevronProtection, and faithful service completed
antelopeHarmony, polity and peace
