A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Arkwright family of England.
Reg. 0574 · English, A–C
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
mountThe ground held, and steadfastness upon it
chiefAuthority, wisdom and dominion
treeLife, endurance and deep roots
roundelA coin, and one who has been to the crusades
beeIndustry, order and tireless work
Colours
Silver (Argent)Means: Peace and sincerity
Blue (Azure)Means: Loyalty and truth
Green (Vert)Means: Hope
Gold (Or)Means: Generosity
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. on a mount vert a cotton tree fructed ppr. on a chief az. betw. two bezants an inescutcheon of the field charged with a bee volant ppr”
DerbySutton Scarsdale · Derby, c. 1792
Where the Arkwright Arms Were Recorded
Derby
Map of England showing where the Arkwright arms are recorded
The Arkwright arms were recorded in Derby, c. 1792.
Derbyshire had lead mines in its hills and good grazing in its valleys. Both made steady money, and families who made it bought manors, which is what put their names into the heraldic records.
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.
George III of Great Britain
Sovereign of the period
George III of Great Britain
1760–1801
Reigning in England when the Arkwright 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 Derby.
Origin & History of the Arkwright Family in England
The surname Arkwright is an occupational name that originated in medieval England. It comes from the Middle English words "ark," meaning a chest or a box, and "wright," meaning a maker or builder. Therefore, the name originally described a craftsman who specialized in making wooden chests, flour bins, or kneading troughs. By the late 18th century, the family became deeply connected to the industrial growth of Derbyshire. While the name began with humble woodworking roots, it gained significant historical prominence in Derby by 1792 due to the family's leadership in the textile industry and the development of water-powered spinning mills. This transition from traditional carpentry to large-scale manufacturing marked a major turning point in the family's local influence.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
arc-wyrhta
Old English for chest or ark maker.
This name
ArkwrightAn occupational surname for a craftsman who constructed wooden chests, boxes, or arks.
also spelled
Arkewright
Arkwryght
Documented Sources
Sir Bernard Burke, The General Armory of England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales, London: Harrison & Sons, 1884
Fittis, Robert Scott, The History of the Arkwright Family, 1880
Guest, Richard, A Compendious History of the Cotton Manufacture, 1823
Derbyshire Record Office, Arkwright Family Papers, D3772
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
mountThe ground held, and steadfastness upon it
chiefAuthority, wisdom and dominion
treeLife, endurance and deep roots
roundelA coin, and one who has been to the crusades
beeIndustry, order and tireless work
mountThe ground held, and steadfastness upon it
chiefAuthority, wisdom and dominion
treeLife, endurance and deep roots
roundelA coin, and one who has been to the crusades
beeIndustry, order and tireless work
