A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Gerney family of England.
Reg. 7836 · English, G–I
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
cross symbolChristian faith and service
cinquefoilHope and joy
Colours
Silver (Argent)Means: Peace and sincerity
Red (Gules)Means: Military strength
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 cross engr. gu. in the dexter chief quarter a cinquefoil az”
EssexEssex, c. 1620
Where the Gerney Arms Were Recorded
Essex
Map of England showing where the Gerney arms are recorded
The Gerney arms were recorded in Essex, c. 1620.
Essex lay close enough to London for City money to buy land there. Merchants who prospered moved out to estates within a day's ride, and a new landowner almost always wanted arms to go with the ground.
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 Gerney 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 Essex.
Origin & History of the Gerney Family in England
The family name Gerney is rooted in the deep history of East Anglia, with records confirming that family members were established in the county of Essex by at least 1620. The name likely evolved as a locational surname, which was a common practice in medieval England when people were identified by the specific village or manor where they resided. During the early seventeenth century, the region of Essex was a bustling center of agricultural trade and maritime activity, providing a stable environment for families to settle and grow. As these early ancestors navigated the social and economic shifts of the Stuart era, they became part of the local fabric of rural English life. The persistence of the name in parish registers from this period suggests that the family was well-integrated into their community, contributing to the local workforce and the development of the English countryside.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Guerin
Derived from the Germanic element warin meaning guard or protection.
This name
GerneyA locational surname referring to people from the town of Gournay-en-Bray in Normandy.
also spelled
Gurney
Gurnay
Gernay
Related arms
Gurnayvariant spelling
Gurneyvariant spelling
Documented Sources
Sir Bernard Burke, The General Armory of England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales, London: Harrison & Sons, 1884
Reaney, P.H., A Dictionary of British Surnames, 1958
Essex Record Office, Parish Registers of Essex, 1620
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
cross symbolChristian faith and service
cinquefoilHope and joy
cross symbolChristian faith and service
cinquefoilHope and joy
