A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Finnis family of England.
Reg. 8214 · English, D–F
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
plant thistleDefiance, and the defence of Scotland
mulletThe third son, and a divine quality from above
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 thistle ppr. leaved vert, flowered gu. betw. three mullets az”
Englandc. 1620
Where the Finnis Arms Were Recorded
York
Map of England showing where the Finnis arms are recorded
The Finnis 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 Finnis 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 Finnis Family in England
The surname Finnis is believed to have roots in the northern regions of England, with significant evidence placing the family in the city of York by the early seventeenth century. During this period, York was a bustling center of trade and religious life, and the presence of the Finnis family suggests they were likely involved in the local merchant guilds or skilled craft trades that defined the city’s economy. The name itself may have originated as a descriptive label for individuals who lived near specific landmarks or perhaps as a variation of older regional surnames common to the Yorkshire area. As the family established themselves in York around 1620, they became part of a growing urban population that navigated the social and political shifts of the Stuart era. By settling in such a prominent historical hub, the early members of the Finnis family were positioned to participate in the development of northern English society during a time of great transition.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Finn
Derived from the Old Irish word for fair or white.
This name
FinnisA locational surname referring to someone from the River Finn or a fair-haired person.
also spelled
Fynnis
Fynniss
Finnie
Related arms
Finnievariant spelling
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' Account Rolls, 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.
plant thistleDefiance, and the defence of Scotland
mulletThe third son, and a divine quality from above
plant thistleDefiance, and the defence of Scotland
mulletThe third son, and a divine quality from above
