A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Kenyon family lines. Documented in 3 countries.
Reg. 0902 · Britain, J–L
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
chevronProtection, and faithful service completed
cross symbolChristian faith and service
Colours
Black (Sable)Means: Constancy
Gold (Or)Means: Generosity
Silver (Argent)Means: Peace and sincerity
Historical info
Source
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Blazon (the actual original written record)
“De sa. au chev. engr. d'or, acc. de trois croix florencées d'arg. C.: un lion couché au nat., tenant entre ses pattes une croix de l'écu. T.: la Prudence et la Fortitude. D.: MAGNANIMITER CRUCEM SUSTINE.”
Britainc. 1700
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Map of Britain showing where the Kenyon arms are recorded
The Kenyon arms were recorded in Britain, c. 1700.
Arms such as these were typically recorded in Kent.
Kent sits between London and the short crossing to Europe, and the trade passing through made it wealthy. Merchant families bought land with that money, and it was landowners who took coats of 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 Britain in this period.
William III of England
Sovereign of the period
William III of England
1694–1702
Reigning in Britain when the Kenyon arms are first recorded.
How Arms Worked in Britain
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 Britain.
Origin & History of the Kenyon Family in Britain
The surname Kenyon originates from the Lancashire region of North West England, where it was first recorded as a place name derived from the Old Welsh words for a valley or a ridge. Families living in or near the township of Kenyon eventually adopted the name as a way to identify their origins. By the time the family established a presence in Kent during the early 1700s, the name had already spread from its northern roots across the British Isles. During this period, the movement of families was often driven by the search for new agricultural opportunities or trade connections in the growing southern counties. As these early members settled into Kent, they became part of the local parish records, which helped solidify the name within the social fabric of the region. This transition from a localized northern identifier to a broader English surname reflects the general mobility of families during the eighteenth century.
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
chevronProtection, and faithful service completed
cross symbolChristian faith and service
Colours
Black (Sable)Means: Constancy
Gold (Or)Means: Generosity
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)
“Sa. a chev. engr. or, betw. three crosses flory ar”
Irelandc. 1645
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Map of Ireland showing where the Kenyon arms are recorded
The Kenyon arms were recorded in Ireland, c. 1645.
Arms such as these were typically recorded in Dublin.
Dublin was the seat of government in Ireland and the place where grants were sought and recorded. Families with business at the castle or the courts settled nearby, and settling there put their arms on record.
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 Ireland in this period.
Charles I of England
Sovereign of the period
Charles I of England
1625–1649
Reigning in Britain when the Kenyon arms are first recorded.
How Arms Worked in Ireland
The Ulster King of Arms granted coats of arms to individuals who proved their social standing and good character. These symbols were typically inherited by all legitimate descendants of the original holder. If a family branch wanted a unique look, they could apply for a specific change to their design through the office to ensure their identity remained distinct.
Granting authority
The Ulster King of Arms acted as the official body that regulated and issued all coats of arms throughout Ireland.
How they got arms
Families obtained their arms through formal grants issued by the office after proving their eligibility and paying the required fees.
Where arms were recorded
All official grants were recorded in the registers held by the Ulster King of Arms starting from the year 1552.
The family's standing
Recorded among the armigerous families of Ireland.
Origin & History of the Kenyon Family in Ireland
The history of the Kenyon family in Ireland is deeply connected to the social and political shifts of the seventeenth century. While the name has roots in Northern England, records confirm that members of the family were firmly established in Dublin by 1645. During this period, Dublin was a bustling center of trade and administration, and families like the Kenyons often moved there to participate in the growing urban economy or to serve in official capacities. As the century progressed, the family integrated into the local community, navigating the complex religious and political landscape of a city transitioning through major conflicts. Their presence in the capital suggests they were part of the professional or merchant classes who helped shape the development of Dublin during a time of significant national change.
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
cross symbolChristian faith and service
eagleNobility, strength and a keen mind
Colours
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)
“Sa. a cross lozengy ar. in sinister chief an eagle displ. of the last”
OxfordEasthall · Oxford, c. 1634
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Map of England showing where the Kenyon arms are recorded
The Kenyon arms were recorded in Oxford, c. 1634.
Oxfordshire was farming country with the university at its centre, and both produced families of standing. Scholars and lawyers who did well bought manors nearby, and holding a manor was the ordinary route to a coat of 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.
Charles I of England
Sovereign of the period
Charles I of England
1625–1649
Reigning in Britain when the Kenyon 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 Oxford.
Origin & History of the Kenyon Family in England
The surname Kenyon originates from a place name in Lancashire, England, specifically from the township of Kenyon located near Winwick. The name is derived from the Old Welsh word "cyn," meaning chief or first, and "iaun," which refers to a valley or a stream. By the time the family became established in Oxford in 1634, the name had already transitioned from a local geographic identifier to a hereditary surname used by families moving across the English landscape. During the seventeenth century, individuals carrying the Kenyon name were often involved in the legal and academic circles of the time, reflecting a shift from rural landholding roots toward professional life in growing urban centers. This migration pattern illustrates how families moved away from their ancestral northern origins to seek new opportunities in the intellectual hubs of southern England.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Cenwyn
Derived from the Old Welsh elements for chief or head and white.
This name
KenyonA locational surname originating from a place in Lancashire meaning white hill or chief ridge.
also spelled
Kenyoun
Kenion
Kenyen
Kennion
Related arms
Kennionvariant spelling
Gellibrandrecorded with Kenyon, same area
Documented Sources
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Ekwall, Eilert. The Place-Names of Lancashire. 1922
Reaney, Percy Hide. A Dictionary of British Surnames. 1958
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
cross symbolChristian faith and service
chevronProtection, and faithful service completed
cross symbolChristian faith and service
eagleNobility, strength and a keen mind