Map of England showing where the Finnemore arms are recorded
The Finnemore arms were recorded in Wilts, c. 1620.
Wiltshire was sheep country, and wool made money steadily for hundreds of years. Families who made it bought manors on the downs, and holding a manor was the usual reason to take 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 Finnemore 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 Wilts.
Origin & History of the Finnemore Family in England
The surname Finnemore is primarily associated with the county of Wiltshire, where the family established deep roots by the early seventeenth century. Historical records confirm that members of the family were settled in this region by 1620, often working as yeomen farmers or tradespeople within the local rural economy. The name itself is thought to be locational in origin, likely derived from a specific place name that has since faded from common usage or evolved in spelling over time. During this period, the family lived through a time of significant social and political change in England, which often required them to adapt their livelihoods to the shifting agricultural demands of the West Country. By remaining in Wiltshire for generations, the Finnemore family became a stable part of the local community, leaving behind a trail of parish registers and legal documents that track their growth and movement across the English countryside.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Fina
Old English term for a person of fine or delicate quality.
This name
FinnemoreDerived from a locational name referring to a moorland associated with a person named Fina.
also spelled
Fynamore
Finnamoure
Fynamour
Documented Sources
Sir Bernard Burke, The General Armory of England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales, London: Harrison & Sons, 1884
Wiltshire and Swindon History Centre, Bishop's Transcripts of Wiltshire Parish Registers
The National Archives, Prerogative Court of Canterbury and Related Probate Jurisdictions: Will Registers
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
chevronProtection, and faithful service completed
