Map of Netherlands showing where the Gunning arms are recorded
The Gunning arms were recorded in Amsterdam, c. 1815.
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.
Region
Amsterdam
Town
Amsterdam
First recorded
1815
Granting Authority for the Gunning Arms
Hoge Raad van Adel
Photograph made by me · CC BY-SA 3.0
The body that granted and recorded arms in Netherlands in this period.
William I of the Netherlands
Sovereign of the period
William I of the Netherlands
1815–1840
Reigning in Netherlands when the Gunning arms are first recorded.
How Arms Worked in Netherlands
In the Netherlands, coats of arms were often used by noble families and those who held specific public offices. These arms were passed down through the generations to legitimate descendants. Younger branches of a family usually kept the original design without needing to add special marks. This system ensured that the family identity remained clear and consistent over many years.
Granting authority
The Hoge Raad van Adel is the official body that regulates and manages noble titles and coats of arms in the Netherlands.
How they got arms
Families typically obtained their coats of arms through official royal grants or by proving their long-standing historical use of the symbols.
Where arms were recorded
Coats of arms are officially recorded in the registers held by the Hoge Raad van Adel, which began its work in 1814.
The family's standing
Recorded among the armigerous families of Netherlands.
Origin & History of the Gunning Family in Netherlands
The Gunning family established a significant presence in the Netherlands by the early nineteenth century, with records confirming their residence in Amsterdam by 1815. While the name itself has roots in older European traditions, the Dutch branch of the family became deeply integrated into the professional and social fabric of the city during a time of great national transition. As the Netherlands emerged from the Napoleonic era, members of the Gunning family began to distinguish themselves in fields such as theology, law, and public administration. This period of history saw the family move into influential circles, where they contributed to the intellectual development of Amsterdam. Their steady rise within the urban middle class reflects the broader patterns of social mobility that defined the Dutch capital during the nineteenth century. By settling in Amsterdam, the family secured a lasting legacy that linked their name to the academic and cultural growth of the region for generations to come.
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
fessThe military belt, and readiness to serve
cross symbolChristian faith and service
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
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
Map of England showing where the Gunning arms are recorded
The Gunning 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 Netherlands when the Gunning 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 Gunning Family in England
The Gunning family name has deep roots in the English landscape, with historical records confirming their presence in the county of Kent by the early 17th century. The name itself is believed to be a patronymic, meaning it likely originated as a way to identify a person as the son or descendant of someone named Gunni, a name of Old Norse origin. During the 1600s, families in Kent were often tied to the land through farming or local trade, and the Gunnings were no exception as they established themselves within the rural communities of the region. Over time, the family expanded beyond Kent, with various members moving into positions of influence in the church and the legal profession. This transition from local landholders to figures of public standing illustrates how the family name became firmly woven into the social fabric of England during the Stuart period.
Gunning Meaning & Related Branches
Root word
Gunni
Old Norse name derived from the word for battle or war.
This name
GunningA patronymic surname meaning son of Gunni, indicating descent from a warrior ancestor.
also spelled
Gunnin
Related arms
Fytcherecorded with Gunning, same area
Jamesrecorded with Gunning, same area
Kingrecorded with Gunning, same area
Shawrecorded with Gunning, same area
Documented Sources
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Nederland’s Patriciaat, Nederland’s Patriciaat: genealogieën van bekende geslachten, 1910
Gunning, J. H., Levensbericht van Jan Willem Gunning, 1890
Stadsarchief Amsterdam, Doop-, trouw- en begraafregisters
Nationaal Archief, Archief van de familie Gunning
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
towerGrandeur and solidity, and a stronghold defended
towerGrandeur and solidity, and a stronghold defended
fessThe military belt, and readiness to serve
cross symbolChristian faith and service
dovePeace, love and the Holy Spirit
