A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Durning family of England.
Reg. 7999 · English, D–F
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
chevronProtection, and faithful service completed
antelopeHarmony, polity and peace
Colours
Blue (Azure)Means: Loyalty and truth
Silver (Argent)Means: Peace and sincerity
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)
“Az. a chev. betw. three antelopes saliant ar”
LancasterBispham · Lancaster, c. 1620
Where the Durning Arms Were Recorded
Lancaster
Map of England showing where the Durning arms are recorded
The Durning 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 Durning 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 Durning Family in England
The surname Durning is deeply rooted in the historical landscape of Lancashire, England, where the family was firmly established by the early seventeenth century. Etymologists generally trace the name to Old English origins, suggesting it likely functioned as a topographic descriptor for people who lived near a specific landmark or a settlement known as a durn. In the dialect of the region, this term often referred to a gatepost or a narrow passage, implying that the earliest bearers of the name were identified by their proximity to a distinct entrance or a gated boundary. By 1620, records confirm that the Durning family had integrated into the local community, participating in the agricultural and social life of the county. As the family grew, they became a recognizable part of the local population, contributing to the development of the Lancashire region through their work and daily interactions within their parish.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Durn
A dark or gloomy place or a hidden valley.
This name
DurningA topographic name for someone who lived near a dark or secluded valley.
also spelled
Durnyng
Related arms
D'Altonrecorded with Durning, same area
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
Lancashire Archives, Bishop’s Transcripts of Parish Registers, 1620
Reaney, P.H., A Dictionary of British Surnames, 1958
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
chevronProtection, and faithful service completed
antelopeHarmony, polity and peace
chevronProtection, and faithful service completed
antelopeHarmony, polity and peace
