A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Furnas family of England.
Reg. 9536 · English, D–F
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
bordureA difference between branches of one family
greyhoundCourage, vigilance and loyalty
Colours
Silver (Argent)Means: Peace and sincerity
Black (Sable)Means: Constancy
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 talbot sejant sa. a bordure of the last”
KentSandwich · Kent, c. 1620
Where the Furnas Arms Were Recorded
Kent
Map of England showing where the Furnas arms are recorded
The Furnas arms were recorded in Kent, c. 1620.
Kent sits between London and the short crossing to Europe, and the trade passing through made it wealthy. Merchant families bought land with that money, and it was landowners who took coats of 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 Furnas 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 Kent.
Origin & History of the Furnas Family in England
The family name Furnas is believed to have originated in the northern regions of England, likely as a descriptive term for people who lived near or worked at a kiln or furnace. By the year 1620, historical records confirm that members of the Furnas family were well-established in the county of Kent. During this period, the family was part of the social fabric of southeastern England, living through a time of significant religious and political change. Many individuals with this surname were known for their involvement in trade and local agriculture, which allowed them to build stable lives in their communities. As the seventeenth century progressed, the name became more widely recognized across the region, reflecting the family's growth and their integration into the local economy of Kent.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
furnus
Latin term referring to an oven or a kiln.
This name
FurnasAn occupational name for someone who worked as a baker or operated a furnace.
also spelled
Furnas
Furnass
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
Kent Archives, Archdeaconry Court of Canterbury Wills, 1620–1650
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.
bordureA difference between branches of one family
greyhoundCourage, vigilance and loyalty
bordureA difference between branches of one family
greyhoundCourage, vigilance and loyalty
