A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Furness family of England.
Reg. 8678 · English, D–F
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
greyhoundCourage, vigilance and loyalty
crescentHonour by the sovereign, and the second son
Colours
Silver (Argent)Means: Peace and sincerity
Black (Sable)Means: Constancy
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)
“Ar. a talbot sejant sa. in chief three crescents gu”
Englandc. 1620
Where the Furness Arms Were Recorded
York
Map of England showing where the Furness arms are recorded
The Furness 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 Furness 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 Furness Family in England
The surname Furness is a locative name, meaning it originated from a specific geographic place rather than a trade or personal trait. It is derived from the Furness Peninsula in Lancashire, a region known for its rugged coastline and the historic ruins of Furness Abbey. Families who moved away from this area often adopted the name to identify their place of origin to others. By the early 17th century, members of the family had established a presence in the city of York, where they integrated into the local community. These early settlers were likely drawn to the city by its status as a major center for trade and administration in Northern England. Over time, the name spread throughout the region as descendants moved for work, marriage, and new opportunities, eventually becoming a well-established surname in the north of England.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Furnesium
Latin term for a furnace or kiln.
This name
FurnessRefers to someone who lived near a kiln or worked as a furnace operator.
also spelled
Furness
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
Reaney, P.H., A Dictionary of British Surnames, 1958
The National Archives, Probate Records of the Prerogative Court of Canterbury, PROB 11
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
greyhoundCourage, vigilance and loyalty
crescentHonour by the sovereign, and the second son
greyhoundCourage, vigilance and loyalty
crescentHonour by the sovereign, and the second son
