A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Vernon family lines. Documented in 3 countries.
Reg. 4841 · French, W–Z
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
fessThe military belt, and readiness to serve
wheatsheafPlenty, and the harvest of one's own labour
Colours
Gold (Or)Means: Generosity
Blue (Azure)Means: Loyalty and truth
Historical info
Source
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Blazon (the actual original written record)
“D'or à la fasce d'azur, ch. de trois gerbes du champ. C.: une Cérès iss., hab. d'azur, tenant de sa main dextre une faucille et de sa sen. une gerbe d'or, la tête cour. d'épis d'or. T.: deux Cérès, hab. d'une tunique d'arg. sur un jupon de gu., cour. d'épis d'or et tenant chacun une faucille. D.: SEMPER UT TE DIGNA SEQUERE.”
Francec. 1762
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Map of France showing where the Vernon arms are recorded
The Vernon arms were recorded in France, c. 1762.
Arms such as these were typically recorded in Bretagne.
More families held coats of arms in Bretagne than anywhere else in France. The land was divided into many small estates rather than a few large ones, so far more households counted as gentry, and each needed a shield of its own to be told apart.
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 France in this period.
Louis XV of France
Sovereign of the period
Louis XV of France
1715–1774
Reigning in France when the Vernon arms are first recorded.
How Arms Worked in France
In France, a coat of arms was a mark of honor that passed down through the male line to all legitimate descendants. Families often used the same shield without changes to show their shared heritage. If a branch wanted to stand out, they could add a small mark to their shield to show their specific place in the family tree.
Granting authority
The Juge d'armes de France acted as the official authority that regulated and verified coats of arms across the country.
How they got arms
Families typically inherited their arms from ancestors, though they could also receive them through royal grants or by proving their noble status.
Where arms were recorded
Coats of arms were officially recorded in the Armorial Général de France, which began its main collection in the year 1696.
The family's standing
Recorded among the armigerous families of France.
Origin & History of the Vernon Family in France
The family name Vernon originates from the northern regions of France, where it was historically linked to specific geographic locations. The name is derived from the Gaulish word for the alder tree, which suggests that early ancestors likely lived near forests or riverbanks where these trees were common. By the eighteenth century, members of the family were firmly established in the region of Bretagne. Records from 1762 confirm their presence in this area, where they participated in the local social and economic life of the province. During this period, families in Bretagne often maintained strong ties to their local parishes and land, which helped preserve their history through generations of agricultural and community work. This deep connection to the French landscape shaped the identity of the family long before they expanded into other parts of the world.
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
fessThe military belt, and readiness to serve
wheatsheafPlenty, and the harvest of one's own labour
mulletThe third son, and a divine quality from above
Colours
Gold (Or)Means: Generosity
Blue (Azure)Means: Loyalty and truth
Red (Gules)Means: Military strength
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)
“Or, on a fess az. three garbs of the field, in chief two mullets gu”
EnglandLondon, c. 1569
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Map of England showing where the Vernon arms are recorded
The Vernon arms were recorded in London, c. 1569.
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.
Elizabeth I of England
Sovereign of the period
Elizabeth I of England
1558–1603
Reigning in France when the Vernon 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 Vernon Family in England
The surname Vernon has deep roots in England that stretch back long before the sixteenth century. The name is locational in origin, derived from the town of Vernon in Normandy, France. After the Norman Conquest of 1066, families bearing this name settled across various English counties, establishing themselves as landowners and local figures of influence. By the time the records show members of the family living in London in 1569, the name had already been part of the English social landscape for hundreds of years. These early London residents were part of a growing urban population during the Elizabethan era, a time when many families moved toward the capital to participate in the expanding trade and political life of the city. Their presence in the historical records of that period reflects the steady movement and integration of established families into the heart of English society.
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
mulletThe third son, and a divine quality from above
fretPersuasion, and the net that holds
Colours
Silver (Argent)Means: Peace and sincerity
Blue (Azure)Means: Loyalty and truth
Black (Sable)Means: Constancy
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)
“Ar. a fret sa. a mullet az. for diff”
DublinClontarf Castle · Dublin, c. 1584
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Map of Ireland showing where the Vernon arms are recorded
The Vernon arms were recorded in Dublin, c. 1584.
Dublin was the seat of government in Ireland and the place where grants were sought and recorded. Families with business at the castle or the courts settled nearby, and settling there put their arms on record.
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 Ireland in this period.
Elizabeth I of England
Sovereign of the period
Elizabeth I of England
1558–1603
Reigning in France when the Vernon arms are first recorded.
How Arms Worked in Ireland
The Ulster King of Arms granted coats of arms to individuals who proved their social standing and good character. These symbols were typically inherited by all legitimate descendants of the original holder. If a family branch wanted a unique look, they could apply for a specific change to their design through the office to ensure their identity remained distinct.
Granting authority
The Ulster King of Arms acted as the official body that regulated and issued all coats of arms throughout Ireland.
How they got arms
Families obtained their arms through formal grants issued by the office after proving their eligibility and paying the required fees.
Where arms were recorded
All official grants were recorded in the registers held by the Ulster King of Arms starting from the year 1552.
The family's standing
Recorded among the armigerous families of Dublin.
Origin & History of the Vernon Family in Ireland
The Vernon family name arrived in Ireland during a period of significant political and social change. While the name has roots in France and England, records confirm that members of the Vernon family were well-established in Dublin by 1584. During this era, the family integrated into the administrative and social life of the city as Ireland became increasingly tied to the English crown. These early settlers often held positions of influence or engaged in trade, which allowed them to secure a foothold in the capital. Over the following decades, the family expanded their presence across the island, moving from the urban center of Dublin into various rural regions. Their history reflects the broader movement of families who navigated the complex legal and land-holding systems of early modern Ireland.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
vern
A Gaulish term referring to the alder tree.
This name
VernonDerived from a place name meaning a location where alder trees grow.
also spelled
Vernonn
Vernone
Vern
Vernan
Vernam
Related arms
Vernanvariant spelling
Addisonrecorded with Vernon, same area
Agardrecorded with Vernon, same area
Bellomontrecorded with Vernon, same area
Documented Sources
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Dauzat, Albert, Dictionnaire étymologique des noms et prénoms de France, 1951
Archives départementales d'Ille-et-Vilaine, Registres paroissiaux et d'état civil, 1762
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