Map of England showing where the Penson arms are recorded
The Penson arms were recorded in William Penson, 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 Penson 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 Penson Family in England
The surname Penson is rooted in the medieval tradition of patronymic naming, where a person was identified by their father’s given name. Etymologists generally trace the name to a variation of the name Payne, which was a common personal name derived from the Latin word *paganus*. By the early 17th century, the Penson family had established a notable presence in the historic city of York. Records confirm that members of the family were living in this region by 1620, likely working within the city’s vibrant merchant or artisan guilds. During this period, York served as a major center for trade and administration in Northern England, providing a stable environment for families to build their livelihoods and integrate into the local community. As the family grew, they became part of the social fabric of the city, contributing to the local economy and the evolving history of the Yorkshire region.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Pence
A medieval nickname derived from the Old French word for thought.
This name
PensonA patronymic surname meaning son of the thoughtful or pensive individual.
also spelled
Pensen
Pinson
Pynson
Related arms
Pinsonvariant spelling
Pynsonvariant spelling
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, Percy Hide, A Dictionary of British Surnames, 1958
Borthwick Institute for Archives, York Diocesan Probate Records
The National Archives, State Papers Domestic, James I
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fessThe military belt, and readiness to serve
cinquefoilHope and joy
eagleNobility, strength and a keen mind
fessThe military belt, and readiness to serve
cinquefoilHope and joy
eagleNobility, strength and a keen mind
