A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Genn family of England.
Reg. 2051 · English, G–I
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
pileWell-doing, and a mark of distinction
Colours
Gold (Or)Means: Generosity
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)
“Or, three piles meeting in point az”
Englandc. 1620
Where the Genn Arms Were Recorded
York
Map of England showing where the Genn arms are recorded
The Genn 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 Genn 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 Genn Family in England
The family name Genn has deep roots in the historic city of York, where records confirm members of the family were living as early as 1620. During the seventeenth century, York was a major center for trade and religious life in Northern England, and families like the Genns often played active roles in the local community. The name itself is thought to be a variation of older occupational or locational surnames that evolved as people moved through the English countryside. By settling in a prominent city like York, the early members of this family likely participated in the bustling merchant culture or the skilled trades that defined the region at the time. Their presence in the city archives suggests that they were established residents who contributed to the social and economic fabric of the area during a period of significant change in English history.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Johannes
Hebrew origin meaning God is gracious.
This name
GennA Cornish diminutive form of John, signifying grace or favor from God.
Documented Sources
Sir Bernard Burke, The General Armory of England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales, London: Harrison & Sons, 1884
Borthwick Institute for Archives, York. Archbishop of York’s Diocesan Records
Palliser, David M. Tudor York. 1979
Raine, Angelo. Medieval York: A Topographical Survey Based on Original Sources. 1955
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
pileWell-doing, and a mark of distinction
pileWell-doing, and a mark of distinction
