A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Fenner family of England.
Reg. 4220 · English, D–F
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
cross symbolChristian faith and service
eagleNobility, strength and a keen mind
Colours
Green (Vert)Means: Hope
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)
“Vert a cross ar. charged with a cross formée gu. betw. four eagles displ. of the second”
MiddlesexMiddlesex, c. 1620
Where the Fenner Arms Were Recorded
Middlesex
Map of England showing where the Fenner arms are recorded
The Fenner arms were recorded in Middlesex, c. 1620.
Middlesex was the county around London, and City money flowed straight into it. Merchants and officials bought estates within reach of the capital, and a new estate brought a coat of arms with it.
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 Fenner 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 Middlesex.
Origin & History of the Fenner Family in England
The surname Fenner is a topographic name that originated in England during the Middle Ages. It was used to describe someone who lived near a fen or a marshy area of land. The name comes from the Old English word "fenn," which refers to a low-lying, swampy region. By the early 17th century, the family had established a notable presence in Middlesex. Records from 1620 confirm that members of the Fenner family were living in this county during a time of significant social and political change in England. As the family grew, they became part of the local fabric of the region, eventually spreading their influence through various trades and community roles. This connection to the landscape of their homeland remains the defining feature of the name's long history.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
fenn
A marsh, fen, or low-lying wetland area.
This name
FennerAn occupational name for someone who lived or worked in a marshy area.
also spelled
Fennor
Fennar
Related arms
Fennorvariant spelling
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, 1958
The National Archives, Middlesex Quarter Sessions Records, 1612–1622
Bardsley, Charles Wareing, A Dictionary of English and Welsh Surnames, 1901
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
cross symbolChristian faith and service
eagleNobility, strength and a keen mind
cross symbolChristian faith and service
eagleNobility, strength and a keen mind
