A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Rennie family of England.
Reg. 2933 · English, P–S
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
wingSwiftness, and protection under a raised wing
shipEnterprise, and a great voyage undertaken
Colours
Red (Gules)Means: Military strength
ErmineMeans: Dignity
Gold (Or)Means: Generosity
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)
“Gu. two wings conjoined in lure erm. in base the stern of a ship of war or, thereon a flag flying to the sinister, the staff broken ar. charged with a saltire az. and underneath the word "Porcala," in letters of gold”
KentKent, c. 1620
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
Map of England showing where the Rennie arms are recorded
The Rennie arms were recorded in Kent, c. 1620.
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 England in this period.
James VI and I
Sovereign of the period
James VI and I
1603–1625
Reigning in England when the Rennie 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 Kent.
Origin & History of the Rennie Family in England
The surname Rennie has deep roots that connect to the movement of people across the British Isles. While the name is often associated with Scottish origins, historical records confirm that members of the family were well established in the county of Kent by 1620. During this period, families often settled in specific regions due to trade opportunities or the expansion of agricultural communities. The name itself likely evolved as a variation of names like Renny or Raine, which were common in Northern England and Scotland before spreading southward. By the early 17th century, the Rennie family in Kent had become part of the local social fabric, contributing to the development of their parishes through farming, craftsmanship, and community life. Their presence in the south during this time highlights how families moved and adapted to new environments long before the era of modern travel.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Renatus
Latin for born again or reborn.
This name
RennieA diminutive form of the name Reginald or a nickname for someone reborn.
also spelled
Renny
Reny
Rainie
Related arms
Rennyvariant spelling
Documented Sources
Sir Bernard Burke, The General Armory of England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales, London: Harrison & Sons, 1884
Black, George Fraser. The Surnames of Scotland: Their Origin, Meaning, and History. 1946
Reaney, Percy Hide. A Dictionary of British Surnames. 1958
Kent Archives and Local History Service, Parish Registers of Kent
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.