Map of England showing where the Keniston arms are recorded
The Keniston 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 Keniston 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 Keniston Family in England
The surname Keniston is rooted in the landscape of early colonial New England, with historical records confirming that members of the family were established in York, Maine, by the year 1620. The name is believed to be a variation of the English place name Kynaston, which originated in Shropshire. Families carrying this name were among the hardy pioneers who crossed the Atlantic to build new lives in the rugged wilderness of the northern colonies. These early settlers often worked as farmers, fishermen, or tradesmen to survive the harsh winters and difficult conditions of the frontier. Over several generations, the family name became firmly woven into the social fabric of coastal Maine, where they played an active role in the development of local government and community life. By tracing their movements through land grants and town records, historians can see how the Keniston family helped shape the growth of the region during its most formative years.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Cynestan
Derived from Old English elements meaning royal stone or kingly stone.
This name
KenistonA locative surname originating from a settlement associated with a person named Cynestan.
also spelled
Knysten
Kniston
Knystun
Documented Sources
Sir Bernard Burke, The General Armory of England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales, London: Harrison & Sons, 1884
Banks, Charles Edward, History of York, Maine, 1931
Noyes, Sybil, Libby, Charles Thornton, and Davis, Walter Goodwin, Genealogical Dictionary of Maine and New Hampshire, 1928
Maine State Archives, York County Deeds, 1642–1700
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
lionCourage, strength and royalty
lionCourage, strength and royalty
