Map of England showing where the Stunt arms are recorded
The Stunt arms were recorded in England, c. 1619.
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 Stunt 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 Stunt Family in England
The family name Stunt has deep roots in English history, with records confirming that family members were established in the city of York by at least 1619. During this period, the name was likely a descriptive nickname used to identify an individual based on their physical stature or personality traits. In Middle English, the term stunt often referred to someone who was short, blunt, or perhaps stubborn in nature. As surnames became more common for legal and tax purposes, this nickname transitioned into a permanent family name passed down through generations. By settling in a major hub like York, the early Stunt family would have been part of a bustling urban environment defined by trade, religious life, and the complex social structures of the seventeenth century. Over time, these early settlers helped shape the local history of the region as they integrated into the community and established their place in the historical record.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
stunt
Old English word meaning short, blunt, or foolish.
This name
StuntA nickname for a person of short stature or someone considered dull or foolish.
also spelled
Stinte
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
York City Archives, York City Chamberlains’ Accounts, 1619
Reaney, P.H., A Dictionary of British Surnames, 1958
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bendDefence, and the scarf of a commander
lionCourage, strength and royalty
bendDefence, and the scarf of a commander
lionCourage, strength and royalty
