A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Greeno family of England.
Reg. 2589 · English, G–I
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
bendDefence, and the scarf of a commander
hunting horn stringedOne who delights in the chase
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. on a bend engr. sa. three buglehorns stringed of the field”
Englandc. 1620
Where the Greeno Arms Were Recorded
York
Map of England showing where the Greeno arms are recorded
The Greeno 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 Greeno 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 Greeno Family in England
The family name Greeno is believed to have originated in England, with historical records placing members of the family in the city of York as early as 1620. During this period, the name likely evolved from descriptive terms used to identify individuals based on their surroundings or physical traits, as was common with many surnames of that era. Life in seventeenth-century York was defined by the city’s role as a major northern hub for trade and religion, meaning the Greeno family would have been part of a bustling, historic community. As the family grew and moved throughout the region, the spelling of the name became more standardized, eventually settling into the form recognized today. While specific details about the daily lives of these early ancestors remain limited, their presence in such a significant English city suggests they were part of the local social fabric during a time of great change in British history.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Grene
Middle English word for the color green or grassy vegetation.
This name
GreenoA topographic name for someone who lived near a village green or common pasture.
also spelled
Greenoe
Greeno
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
Borthwick Institute for Archives, York Diocesan Records: Parish Registers of York, 1620
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
bendDefence, and the scarf of a commander
hunting horn stringedOne who delights in the chase
bendDefence, and the scarf of a commander
hunting horn stringedOne who delights in the chase
