A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Erney family of England.
Reg. 0361 · English, D–F
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
lionCourage, strength and royalty
Colours
Silver (Argent)Means: Peace and sincerity
Blue (Azure)Means: Loyalty and truth
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 ramp. az”
Englandc. 1620
Where the Erney Arms Were Recorded
York
Map of England showing where the Erney arms are recorded
The Erney 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 Erney 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 Erney Family in England
The family name Erney is deeply rooted in the history of early modern England, with documented evidence placing members of the family in York as early as 1620. During this period, the name likely emerged as a localized variation of older Germanic or Old English naming conventions, often linked to occupational roles or specific geographic landmarks. In the seventeenth century, York served as a major center for trade and administration, which suggests that the early Erney family members were likely integrated into the urban economy of the North. As the family established itself in the region, they contributed to the social fabric of the city during a time of significant religious and political transition. By maintaining a presence in such a prominent historical hub, the early Erneys were part of the steady growth of the English middle class, leaving behind records that track their movement and influence across the centuries.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Earn
Old English word for eagle.
This name
ErneyDerived from a nickname for a person with the characteristics of an eagle.
also spelled
Erney
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
York City Archives, York City Chamberlains' Accounts, 1620
Reaney, P.H., A Dictionary of British Surnames, 1958
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lionCourage, strength and royalty
lionCourage, strength and royalty
