A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Gunnin family of England.
Reg. 3163 · English, G–I
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
fessThe military belt, and readiness to serve
cross symbolChristian faith and service
paleMilitary strength, and a fortified defence
dovePeace, love and the Holy Spirit
Colours
Red (Gules)Means: Military strength
ErmineMeans: Dignity
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)
“Gu. on a fesse erminois betw. three doves ppr. as many crosses formée per pale of the first and az”
KentEltham · Kent, c. 1620
Where the Gunnin Arms Were Recorded
Kent
Map of England showing where the Gunnin arms are recorded
The Gunnin arms were recorded in Kent, c. 1620.
Kent sits between London and the short crossing to Europe, and the trade passing through made it wealthy. Merchant families bought land with that money, and it was landowners who took coats of 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 Gunnin 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 Kent.
Origin & History of the Gunnin Family in England
The family name Gunnin is rooted in the social landscape of seventeenth-century England, with documented evidence placing early members in the county of Kent by 1620. During this period, Kent served as a vital hub for trade and agriculture, often attracting families who worked as skilled laborers or tenant farmers. The name likely evolved from regional dialects or descriptive nicknames common in the area, reflecting the way local communities identified their neighbors before standardized spelling became the norm. As these early ancestors settled into the Kentish countryside, they became part of the local parish systems, which recorded their lives through baptisms, marriages, and burials. This transition from small village life to the broader historical record highlights the family's long-standing presence in the region during a time of significant social and economic change in England.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Gunni
Old Norse personal name derived from the word for battle or war.
This name
GunninA patronymic surname indicating descent from a person named Gunni or battle-warrior.
also spelled
Gunnin
Documented Sources
Sir Bernard Burke, The General Armory of England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales, London: Harrison & Sons, 1884
C.W. Chalklin, Seventeenth-century Kent: A social and economic history, 1965
Kent Archives, Archdeaconry of Canterbury marriage licences, 1620
P.H. Reaney, A Dictionary of British Surnames, 1958
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
fessThe military belt, and readiness to serve
cross symbolChristian faith and service
paleMilitary strength, and a fortified defence
dovePeace, love and the Holy Spirit
fessThe military belt, and readiness to serve
cross symbolChristian faith and service
paleMilitary strength, and a fortified defence
dovePeace, love and the Holy Spirit
