Map of England showing where the Venus arms are recorded
The Venus arms were recorded in England, 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 Venus 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 Venus Family in England
The family name Venus carries a history deeply rooted in the northern English city of York. Records confirm that members of the family were established residents in this region by the year 1620. During this period, York was a bustling center of trade and religious life, and families living there were often connected to the city’s guilds or local parish administration. The name itself likely originated as a descriptive nickname or a reference to a specific location, as was common practice for surnames developing in England during the late Middle Ages. By the early seventeenth century, the Venus family had become part of the local social fabric, contributing to the growth and daily activities of the city. Their presence in the historical records of York suggests they were integrated into the community long before the expansion of the British Empire, marking them as a family with deep ties to the history of Yorkshire.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Venus
Latin term for love, desire, or sexual appeal.
This name
VenusDerived from the Roman goddess of love, often used as a nickname for a beautiful person.
also spelled
Vienne
Vienna
Documented Sources
Sir Bernard Burke, The General Armory of England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales, London: Harrison & Sons, 1884
Baines, Edward. History, Directory and Gazetteer of the County of York. 1822
North Yorkshire County Record Office, Parish Registers of York St. Martin-cum-Gregory, PR Y/MG
Palliser, D.M. Tudor York. 1979
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
chiefAuthority, wisdom and dominion
lionCourage, strength and royalty
chiefAuthority, wisdom and dominion
lionCourage, strength and royalty
