Map of Ireland showing where the Atkinson arms are recorded
The Atkinson arms were recorded in Mayo, c. 1645.
Mayo was poor western Irish country of bog and mountain, held by a small number of old families. Land changed hands rarely there, and families who held on appear in the 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 Ireland in this period.
Charles I of England
Sovereign of the period
Charles I of England
1625–1649
Reigning in Ireland when the Atkinson 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 Mayo.
Origin & History of the Atkinson Family in Ireland
The surname Atkinson is of Anglo-Saxon origin, meaning "son of Adam," but its presence in Ireland is deeply tied to the period of seventeenth-century plantation and settlement. By 1645, records confirm that members of the Atkinson family were established in County Mayo, a region that became a significant focal point for their activities during a time of intense political and social upheaval. These early settlers often arrived as part of the administrative and military apparatus sent to manage land and local governance. Over the following decades, the family integrated into the local landscape, transitioning from newcomers to established landowners and community figures. Their survival and growth in the west of Ireland reflect the broader patterns of migration that reshaped the Irish social structure during the mid-seventeenth century.
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
bendDefence, and the scarf of a commander
helmetWisdom and security in defence
Colours
Red (Gules)Means: Military strength
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)
“Gu. on a bend cotised or, three helmets of the first”
Englandc. 1604
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Map of England showing where the Atkinson arms are recorded
The Atkinson arms were recorded in England, c. 1604.
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 Ireland when the Atkinson 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 Atkinson Family in England
The surname Atkinson is a patronymic name, which means it was created to identify a person as the son of someone named Adam. It originated in the northern regions of England, particularly around the counties of Cumberland and Yorkshire, where the nickname Atkin was a common variation of Adam. By the early 17th century, the name was well-established in the city of York. Records from 1604 show that families bearing this name were active participants in the local community during a time of significant social and religious change in England. As the name spread from these northern roots, it became a marker of families who were often involved in trade, agriculture, and the growing urban life of English market towns. Because the name relied on a common first name, it developed independently in several locations, allowing the Atkinson family to grow into a widespread presence across the north of England over several generations.
Atkinson Meaning & Related Branches
Root word
Adam
Derived from the Hebrew word for earth or son of the red earth.
This name
AtkinsonA patronymic surname signifying the son of Adam, denoting a descendant of the first man.
also spelled
Atkynson
Atkenson
Atkynsson
Related arms
Brownerecorded with Atkinson, same area
Duncomberecorded with Atkinson, same area
Fairbornerecorded with Atkinson, same area
Handleyrecorded with Atkinson, same area
Documented Sources
Sir Bernard Burke, The General Armory of England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales, London: Harrison & Sons, 1884
MacLysaght, Edward, The Surnames of Ireland, 1985
O’Hart, John, Irish Pedigrees; or, The Origin and Stem of the Irish Nation, 1892
National Archives of Ireland, Civil Survey of County Mayo, 1654–1656
National Library of Ireland, Genealogical Office Manuscripts
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
fessThe military belt, and readiness to serve
paleMilitary strength, and a fortified defence
fleur de lisPurity, light, and the sixth son
fessThe military belt, and readiness to serve
paleMilitary strength, and a fortified defence
fleur de lisPurity, light, and the sixth son
bendDefence, and the scarf of a commander
helmetWisdom and security in defence
