Map of England showing where the Henbury arms are recorded
The Henbury 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 Henbury 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 Henbury Family in England
The surname Henbury is a locative name, which means it was originally taken from a specific place rather than a trade or a personal characteristic. The name likely originates from the Old English words "hen," meaning high or elevated, and "burh," which refers to a fortified place or a manor. By the early 17th century, the family had established a notable presence in the historic city of York. Records confirm that members of the Henbury family were living in this region by 1620, a time when York was a bustling center of trade and religious life in Northern England. As the family settled into urban life, they became part of the local social fabric, likely working in the various crafts and mercantile industries that defined the city during the Stuart period. Over time, the name remained tied to these northern roots, reflecting the movement and settlement patterns of families in post-medieval England.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Heah-burh
Old English for high or elevated fortified settlement.
This name
HenburyRefers to a person who lived near a high or prominent fortified place.
also spelled
Henburie
Henberie
Henbery
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
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