Map of England showing where the Munn arms are recorded
The Munn 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 Munn 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 Munn Family in England
The surname Munn has deep roots in the British Isles, with historical evidence placing members of the family in the city of York as early as 1620. Etymologists generally believe the name originated as a nickname derived from the Middle English word "mun," which was a term of endearment meaning "my friend" or "brother." In other instances, the name may have functioned as a shortened form of the name Edmund or as a descriptive label for someone who lived near a specific landmark. By the early 17th century, families bearing this name were well-established in northern England, often working as skilled tradespeople or merchants within the bustling urban centers of the time. These early ancestors lived through a period of significant social change, and their presence in York suggests they were part of the growing middle class that helped shape the city’s economic life during the reign of King James I.
Munn Meaning & Related Branches
Root word
Mun
Old French term for a monk or a religious person.
This name
MunnA habitational name for someone who lived near a monastery or worked for one.
also spelled
Mune
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
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
roundelA coin, and one who has been to the crusades
towerGrandeur and solidity, and a stronghold defended
chevronProtection, and faithful service completed
roundelA coin, and one who has been to the crusades
towerGrandeur and solidity, and a stronghold defended
