A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Kannon family lines. Documented in 2 countries.
Reg. 1656 · Welsh, J–L
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
bendDefence, and the scarf of a commander
roundelA coin, and one who has been to the crusades
Colours
Red (Gules)Means: Military strength
Silver (Argent)Means: Peace and sincerity
Black (Sable)Means: Constancy
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 bend ar. double cottised or, a pellet”
PembrokePembroke, c. 1614
Where the Kannon Arms Were Recorded
Pembroke
Map of Wales showing where the Kannon arms are recorded
The Kannon arms were recorded in Pembroke, c. 1614.
Pembrokeshire was settled from England early enough to be called Little England beyond Wales. Its landed families were Norman in origin and held their ground for centuries, which is what put them in the records.
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 Wales in this period.
James VI and I
Sovereign of the period
James VI and I
1603–1625
Reigning in Wales when the Kannon arms are first recorded.
How Arms Worked in Wales
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 Pembroke.
Origin & History of the Kannon Family in Wales
The history of the Kannon family in Wales is deeply rooted in the coastal landscape of Pembrokeshire, where records confirm their presence as early as 1614. During this period, Pembrokeshire served as a unique cultural crossroads because of its history of English settlement and its strong ties to maritime trade. Families like the Kannons often lived in rural parishes near the coast, where they likely worked as farmers or skilled tradespeople. The name itself suggests a link to the local linguistic environment, as it may have evolved from early phonetic spellings of occupational or descriptive terms common in the region. By settling in this part of Wales, the family became part of a resilient community that navigated the social and economic changes of the seventeenth century. Their long-standing presence in the area reflects the broader history of families who built their lives in the small towns and villages of southwestern Wales.
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
swordJustice, and military honour
mulletThe third son, and a divine quality from above
Colours
Red (Gules)Means: Military strength
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)
“Gu. a two-handed sword in bend sinister, betw. three mullets ar”
Scotlandc. 1748
Where the Kannon Arms Were Recorded
Edinburgh
Map of Scotland showing where the Kannon arms are recorded
The Kannon arms were recorded in Scotland, c. 1748.
Arms such as these were typically recorded in Edinburgh.
Edinburgh was the seat of Scotland's government, its courts and its heralds. Families with business there settled nearby, and being close to where arms were recorded is exactly why so many of them appear.
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 Scotland in this period.
George II of Great Britain
Sovereign of the period
George II of Great Britain
1727–1760
Reigning in Wales when the Kannon arms are first recorded.
How Arms Worked in Scotland
Scottish heraldry is unique because it treats a coat of arms as a piece of personal property protected by law. Only one person can own a specific design at any given time. When a family grows, the head keeps the original shield while other relatives must apply for their own distinct version with slight changes to prove their specific identity.
Granting authority
The Court of the Lord Lyon acts as the official body that regulates and controls all heraldic matters throughout Scotland.
How they got arms
Individuals obtain a legal right to their arms through a formal petition process that confirms their identity and family connection.
Where arms were recorded
All valid coats of arms are officially entered into the Public Register of All Arms and Bearings starting from 1672.
The family's standing
Recorded among the armigerous families of Scotland.
Origin & History of the Kannon Family in Scotland
The history of the Kannon family in Scotland is deeply tied to the urban development of Edinburgh during the mid-eighteenth century. While the name likely originated as a descriptive term for a person who worked with artillery or held a specific position within a local guild, by 1748, the family had established a documented presence in the Scottish capital. During this era, Edinburgh was undergoing a period of significant social change as the city began to expand beyond its medieval walls. Families like the Kannons often lived in the dense, multi-story tenements of the Old Town, where they participated in the bustling trade and civic life of the growing city. As the Scottish Enlightenment began to influence the intellectual atmosphere of the region, the Kannon family members were part of a rising middle class that contributed to the stability and daily commerce of the city. Their presence in the 1748 records suggests they were integrated into the local community, living among the artisans and merchants who helped shape the modern identity of Edinburgh.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Cynan
Derived from the Brythonic word for chief or leader.
This name
KannonA Welsh patronymic surname signifying descendant of the high chief or leader.
also spelled
Kannon
Documented Sources
Sir Bernard Burke, The General Armory of England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales, London: Harrison & Sons, 1884
bendDefence, and the scarf of a commander
roundelA coin, and one who has been to the crusades
bendDefence, and the scarf of a commander
roundelA coin, and one who has been to the crusades
swordJustice, and military honour
mulletThe third son, and a divine quality from above
