A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Hannum family of England.
Reg. 4227 · English, G–I
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
bendDefence, and the scarf of a commander
cross symbolChristian faith and service
Colours
Gold (Or)Means: Generosity
Red (Gules)Means: Military strength
Black (Sable)Means: Constancy
Silver (Argent)Means: Peace and sincerity
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)
“Quarterly, or and gu. on a bend sa. three crosses formée fitchée ar”
Englandc. 1620
Where the Hannum Arms Were Recorded
York
Map of England showing where the Hannum arms are recorded
The Hannum 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 Hannum 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 Hannum Family in England
The surname Hannum is believed to have originated in England, where it functioned as a locational name derived from a specific place or settlement. While the exact roots of the name are debated, historical records confirm that members of the family were established in the city of York by 1620. During this period, York served as a major center for trade and administration in Northern England, suggesting that early Hannums were likely involved in the local urban economy. As the family grew, some members eventually migrated across the Atlantic to the American colonies, seeking new opportunities in the seventeenth century. This transition from a regional English presence to life in the New World reflects the broader patterns of migration that defined the era.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Hanning
Derived from the Old English personal name Hana meaning rooster.
This name
HannumA locational surname referring to a settlement belonging to the followers of Hana.
also spelled
Hannum
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
York City Archives, York City Chamberlains' Accounts, 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
cross symbolChristian faith and service
bendDefence, and the scarf of a commander
cross symbolChristian faith and service
