Map of England showing where the Toennies arms are recorded
The Toennies arms were recorded in Nottingham, c. 1620.
Nottinghamshire had coal under it and forest across it, and both were worth money. Families who profited bought manors, and a manor was the ordinary reason for a family to take 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 Toennies 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 Nottingham.
Origin & History of the Toennies Family in England
The surname Toennies has deep roots in Northern Europe, where it evolved as a variation of the name Anthony. During the early seventeenth century, the family began to establish a presence in England, with records confirming that members of the Toennies family were living in Nottingham by 1620. At that time, Nottingham was a growing center for trade and craftsmanship, and families like the Toennies often moved to such towns to pursue new economic opportunities. Because the name was frequently linked to the German and Low German word for Anthony, it suggests that the family likely migrated from continental Europe to the English Midlands during a period of significant movement between these regions. As they settled into their new home, they integrated into the local community, contributing to the social and economic fabric of the city while maintaining the unique identity of their ancestral name.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Antonius
A Roman family name of uncertain, possibly Etruscan, origin.
This name
ToenniesA patronymic form derived from the personal name Tony or Anton, meaning son of Anthony.
also spelled
Tonnys
Tonnes
Tonneys
Tonny
Tony
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
Nottinghamshire Archives, Nottingham St Mary's Parish Registers, 1620
Reaney, P.H., A Dictionary of British Surnames, 1958
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
chevronProtection, and faithful service completed
ringFidelity, and a promise kept
chevronProtection, and faithful service completed
ringFidelity, and a promise kept
