A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Gurney family lines. Documented in 2 countries.
Reg. 7959 · Britain, G–I
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
cross symbolChristian faith and service
Colours
Silver (Argent)Means: Peace and sincerity
Red (Gules)Means: Military strength
Historical info
Source
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Blazon (the actual original written record)
“D'arg. à la croix engr. de gu. C.: 1º un poisson au nat., la tête en bas, soutenu d'un chapeau de tournoi de gu., retr. d'herm.; 2º un collier d'or.”
Britainc. 1700
Where the Gurney Arms Were Recorded
Kent
Map of Britain showing where the Gurney arms are recorded
The Gurney arms were recorded in Britain, c. 1700.
Arms such as these were typically recorded in Kent.
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 Britain in this period.
William III of England
Sovereign of the period
William III of England
1694–1702
Reigning in Britain when the Gurney arms are first recorded.
How Arms Worked in Britain
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 Britain.
Origin & History of the Gurney Family in Britain
The Gurney family name has deep roots in British history, with early records showing the family established in the county of Kent by the year 1700. The name itself is thought to have originated from a place name in Normandy, France, and it likely arrived in England during the period following the Norman Conquest in 1066. Over the centuries, the Gurneys became known as a family of significant influence, often involved in local governance, trade, and the development of agricultural lands. By the time the family was documented in Kent during the early eighteenth century, they were part of a long tradition of English families who had transitioned from their medieval origins into established members of local society. Their presence in the region reflects the broader movement of families across the English landscape as they sought new opportunities in farming and commerce during the late seventeenth and early eighteenth centuries.
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
cross symbolChristian faith and service
crescentHonour by the sovereign, and the second son
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 quarter a crescent az”
NorfolkCauston · Norfolk, c. 1620
Where the Gurney Arms Were Recorded
Norfolk
Map of England showing where the Gurney arms are recorded
The Gurney arms were recorded in Norfolk, c. 1620.
Norfolk grew rich on wool and grain, and its wealth was spread among many middling families rather than a few great ones. Households of that kind bought land and took arms, and the county holds a large share of English names.
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 Britain when the Gurney 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 Norfolk.
Origin & History of the Gurney Family in England
The Gurney family name has deep roots in the English landscape, particularly within the county of Norfolk. Historians trace the name back to the arrival of Norman settlers who brought the surname across the channel following the events of 1066. Over the centuries, the family established itself as a prominent presence in East Anglia, where they became deeply integrated into the local agricultural and social life of the region. By the year 1620, the Gurneys were well-established residents of Norfolk, living as landowners and community members who helped shape the character of the English countryside. Their long history in this area reflects the broader movement of families who transitioned from medieval settlers into the stable, land-owning classes that defined rural England for generations.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Gernier
Derived from the Old French word for a pine tree or cone.
This name
GurneyAn occupational or habitational name referring to someone who lived near pine trees.
also spelled
Gurnay
Gurnie
Gurnai
Related arms
Gerneyvariant spelling
Gournayvariant spelling
Gourneyvariant spelling
Gurnayvariant spelling
Documented Sources
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Lower, Mark Antony, Patronymica Britannica: A Dictionary of the Family Names of the United Kingdom, 1860
Reaney, P.H., A Dictionary of British Surnames, 1958
The National Archives, Probate records of the Prerogative Court of Canterbury, PROB 11
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cross symbolChristian faith and service
cross symbolChristian faith and service
crescentHonour by the sovereign, and the second son
