Finches

Finches

Finches: beneath this term it has been thought well to comprise a number of birds of the finch tribe, examples of which are found in heraldic blazon. In many cases only single instances have been met with, and some appear to have been adopted only for the sake of the name. They are as follows, and for the sake of reference to foreign arms the scientific names according to Linnæus have been added to each: The Goldfinch(carduelis); the Bulfinch(pyrrhula); the Chaffinch(fringilla cœ“lebs); the Brambling(fringilla montifringilla); the Canary(fringilla canaria); the Linnet(fringilla cannabina), and the Pinzon. This last is the only one of the series which occurs in any of the old rolls, and it has evidently been chosen for the sake of the name. It is not quite certain what is the bird meant, but it has been supposed to be the chaffinch, i.e. the modern fr. pinson. It has not, however, been found possible to fix upon the equivalents of the above in the French lists of arms.

Argent, a chevron sable between three goldfinches proper--MOLENICK, Cornwall. [Borne also by GOULDSMITH, Kent, and GOOLD, co. Cork.]

Or, a fesse between three bulfinches proper--ALPIN.

Azure, on a bend invected argent between three crescents, each surmounted by a mullet of eight points or as many chaffinches proper--CHAFFERS, Liverpool.

Argent, three bramblings proper; a chief gules--BRAMBLEY.

Sable, on a bend or, three canary birds proper--KINNEIR of that Ilk.

Azure, a chevron argent between three linnets proper--CARDALE, Hagley, 1590.

Sire ... MOUNPYNZON, de argent a un lion de sable a un pinzon de or en le espandle[i.e. on the shoulder]--Roll, temp. ED. II.

Vert, on a chevron argent, between three plates, each charged with a pyncheon(i.e. goldfinch) proper, as many pansies, stalked proper--MORGAN, Bp. of S.David's, 1554-59(grant A.D. 1553, College of Arms).