The Bristol Canns, Compton Green, and heraldry

The family manuscript uses the wording “Crompton Green” in its account of Sir Robert Cann. Published baronetcy references commonly use Compton Green. The difference is retained as a research issue rather than silently used to identify a modern location or establish a pedigree.

The manuscript associates Sir Robert Cann with Bristol's mayoralty and a baronetcy created in 1662. It discusses the earlier William Cann and describes arms with a blue field, silver fretty pattern and a red fess. This is a description reported by the manuscript, not an independently authenticated grant reproduced by this website.

The College of Arms explains that arms belong to particular individuals and families, rather than surnames as a whole. A person named Cann is not automatically entitled to the arms of a Bristol baronet. A crest is one component of a heraldic achievement and should not be used as an interchangeable name for the entire coat of arms.

Before displaying a historical achievement as a family emblem, the archive needs an identifiable grant, visitation, official pedigree or other reliable heraldic source, with the correct individual and date. No modern reconstruction is being presented as an authenticated Cann crest.

The proposed descent of John Cann of Delaware from Sir Robert remains unverified. The English family can be studied in its own historical context while that transatlantic relationship remains open.