A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Gernon family lines. Documented in 2 countries.
Reg. 0738 · English, G–I
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
pileWell-doing, and a mark of distinction
bordureA difference between branches of one family
Colours
Silver (Argent)Means: Peace and sincerity
Red (Gules)Means: Military strength
Gold (Or)Means: Generosity
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. three piles wavy gu. meeting in the base point and a bordure or”
HerefordHereford, c. 1620
Where the Gernon Arms Were Recorded
Hereford
Map of England showing where the Gernon arms are recorded
The Gernon arms were recorded in Hereford, c. 1620.
Herefordshire lay on the Welsh border, where land was held in return for military service. Families there were expected to arm and to fight, and a fighting household needed a shield it could be known by.
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 Gernon 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 Hereford.
Origin & History of the Gernon Family in England
The family name Gernon has roots that stretch back to the medieval period in England, where it was often used as a descriptive nickname. The name is thought to originate from the Old French word gernon, which meant mustache. This suggests that the earliest people to carry the name were likely identified by this distinct facial feature. By the early 17th century, the family had established a notable presence in the county of Hereford. Records from 1620 confirm that members of the Gernon family were living and working within this region during a time of significant social and agricultural change in England. As the family settled into local life, they became part of the fabric of the community, contributing to the local economy and the historical development of the Hereford area.
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
eagleNobility, strength and a keen mind
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. an eagle displ. sa. armed, beaked, and gorged with a chaplet or”
MeathGernonstown · Meath, c. 1172
Where the Gernon Arms Were Recorded
Meath
Map of Ireland showing where the Gernon arms are recorded
The Gernon arms were recorded in Meath, c. 1172.
Meath was the best farmland in Ireland and the old seat of its high kings. Norman families took it early and held it, and land of that quality kept the same families on it for centuries.
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 Ireland in this period.
Henry II of England
Sovereign of the period
Henry II of England
1154–1189
Reigning in England when the Gernon arms are first recorded.
How Arms Worked in Ireland
The Ulster King of Arms granted coats of arms to individuals who proved their social standing and good character. These symbols were typically inherited by all legitimate descendants of the original holder. If a family branch wanted a unique look, they could apply for a specific change to their design through the office to ensure their identity remained distinct.
Granting authority
The Ulster King of Arms acted as the official body that regulated and issued all coats of arms throughout Ireland.
How they got arms
Families obtained their arms through formal grants issued by the office after proving their eligibility and paying the required fees.
Where arms were recorded
All official grants were recorded in the registers held by the Ulster King of Arms starting from the year 1552.
The family's standing
Recorded among the armigerous families of Meath.
Origin & History of the Gernon Family in Ireland
The Gernon family name arrived in Ireland during the late twelfth century as part of the Norman expansion. Historical records confirm that members of the family were established in County Meath by 1172, shortly after the initial arrival of Anglo-Norman forces. They were granted significant tracts of land in the region, which allowed them to integrate into the local administrative and social structures of the Pale. Over the following generations, the Gernons became deeply involved in the governance of the area, often serving as local officials and landowners. Their presence in Meath remained consistent for centuries, marking them as a prominent family that helped shape the early colonial landscape of medieval Ireland.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Gernon
Derived from the Old French word gernon meaning mustache or whiskers.
This name
GernonA nickname originally used to describe a man who wore a prominent mustache.
also spelled
Gernoun
Related arms
Bathrecorded with Gernon, same area
Savillrecorded with Gernon, same area
Documented Sources
Sir Bernard Burke, The General Armory of England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales, London: Harrison & Sons, 1884
Reaney, P.H., A Dictionary of English Surnames, 1958
The National Archives, Records of the Prerogative Court of Canterbury, PROB 11/136 (Will of a resident of Hereford, 1620)
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
bordureA difference between branches of one family
pileWell-doing, and a mark of distinction
bordureA difference between branches of one family
eagleNobility, strength and a keen mind
