Map of England showing where the Thorner arms are recorded
The Thorner arms were recorded in Berks, c. 1620.
Berkshire sat on the road west from London with the royal castle at Windsor in the middle of it. Court families bought estates within reach, and an estate near the court almost always came with 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 England when the Thorner 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 Berks.
Origin & History of the Thorner Family in England
The surname Thorner is a locative name, meaning it was originally used to identify people who lived near a prominent thorn bush or a thicket of hawthorn trees. During the early seventeenth century, the family established a notable presence in the county of Berkshire, England. Records from 1620 confirm that members of the Thorner family were settled in this region, likely working as farmers or tradespeople within the local rural economy. Because the name is rooted in the landscape of the English countryside, it reflects the deep connection early ancestors had to their specific patch of land. Over time, as families moved from these small villages to larger towns, the name became a permanent way to track their heritage and origin.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Thorn
A sharp-pointed woody projection on a plant stem.
This name
ThornerA topographic name for someone who lived near a prominent thorn bush or hedge.
also spelled
Turner
Tourner
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. and Wilson, R.M., A Dictionary of English Surnames, 1991
The National Archives, Prerogative Court of Canterbury and related Probate Jurisdictions: Will Registers, 1384–1858
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
paleMilitary strength, and a fortified defence
greyhoundCourage, vigilance and loyalty
paleMilitary strength, and a fortified defence
greyhoundCourage, vigilance and loyalty
