Map of England showing where the Jernigan arms are recorded
The Jernigan 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 Jernigan 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 Jernigan Family in England
The Jernigan family name is rooted in the history of medieval England, where it likely originated as a descriptive nickname or a variation of the Old Breton name Gernegan. By the early 17th century, members of the family had established themselves in the city of York, which served as a major cultural and economic hub in Northern England. In 1620, records indicate that individuals bearing this name were active participants in the social and civic life of the region. As the era of transatlantic exploration began, some members of the family chose to leave their ancestral home in York to seek new opportunities in the American colonies. This migration helped spread the name across the Atlantic, where it eventually became well-established in the southern regions of North America. The family history reflects the broader movement of English citizens who transitioned from traditional urban centers in Britain to the developing frontier of the New World.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Gernun
Derived from the Old French term for a mustache or whiskers.
This name
JerniganA nickname for a man who wore a prominent mustache or facial hair.
also spelled
Jerningham
Jernigan
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' Account Rolls, 1620
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
chevronProtection, and faithful service completed
escallopThe pilgrim's shell, and a long journey made
chevronProtection, and faithful service completed
escallopThe pilgrim's shell, and a long journey made
