A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Penn family lines. Documented in 3 countries.
Reg. 5832 · Britain, P–S
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
fessThe military belt, and readiness to serve
roundelA coin, and one who has been to the crusades
Colours
Silver (Argent)Means: Peace and sincerity
Black (Sable)Means: Constancy
Historical info
Source
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Blazon (the actual original written record)
“D'arg. à la fasce de sa., ch. de trois bes. du champ. C.: un lion iss. d'arg., coll. de la fasce de l'écu. D.: DUM CLARUM RECTUM TENEAM [Armes de William P., fondateur de la province de Pennsylvanie.]”
Britainc. 1700
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Map of Britain showing where the Penn arms are recorded
The Penn 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 Penn 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 Penn Family in Britain
The surname Penn is a locative name, meaning it likely originated from people who lived near a specific geographical feature. In Old English and Brittonic languages, the word "penn" refers to a hill or a high point of land. Families carrying this name often settled in regions where the landscape was defined by these prominent summits. By the year 1700, records show that members of the Penn family were well-established in the county of Kent. During this era, families were often tied closely to the local parish system, where their names were recorded in baptismal and burial registers as they worked the land or engaged in local trades. This movement from the hilly regions of Britain toward the fertile fields of the southeast reflects the broader patterns of migration and social stability that defined English life in the early modern period.
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
fessThe military belt, and readiness to serve
roundelA coin, and one who has been to the crusades
Colours
Silver (Argent)Means: Peace and sincerity
Red (Gules)Means: Military strength
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)
“Ar. on a fesse gu. three plates”
OxfordOxford, c. 1620
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Map of England showing where the Penn arms are recorded
The Penn arms were recorded in Oxford, c. 1620.
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.
James VI and I
Sovereign of the period
James VI and I
1603–1625
Reigning in Britain when the Penn 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 Penn Family in England
The surname Penn is rooted in the landscape of medieval England, originating as a topographic name for someone who lived near a pen, or an enclosure used for livestock. By the early 17th century, the family had established a notable presence in the university city of Oxford, where records from 1620 confirm their residence. During this period, the name was associated with individuals who were deeply integrated into the local community and the evolving social structures of the region. As the family moved through the decades, they transitioned from their agrarian linguistic origins into roles that placed them within the administrative and religious life of England. This shift reflects a broader pattern of families moving from rural roots into the growing urban centers of the time, where they began to leave a more permanent mark on the historical record through property deeds and parish registers.
Penn Meaning & Related Branches
Root word
penn
A Celtic or Old English word meaning a hill or headland.
This name
PennA topographic name for someone who lived near a hill or on a high piece of land.
also spelled
Pen
Pennee
Penna
Related arms
Penvariant spelling
Documented Sources
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Cottle, Basil. The Penguin Dictionary of Surnames. 1967
Reaney, P.H. A Dictionary of British Surnames. 1958
The National Archives, Kew. Parish Registers of Kent. 1700
Kent History and Library Centre. Archdeaconry Court of Canterbury Wills and Administrations. 1700
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
fessThe military belt, and readiness to serve
roundelA coin, and one who has been to the crusades
fessThe military belt, and readiness to serve
roundelA coin, and one who has been to the crusades
