Map of England showing where the Barnick arms are recorded
The Barnick arms were recorded in England, c. 1620.
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 England when the Barnick 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 Barnick Family in England
The surname Barnick has roots that trace back to the early seventeenth century in the historic city of York, England. During this period, the city served as a major northern hub for trade and administration, placing the family in a region defined by its medieval architecture and long-standing social structures. Records from 1620 confirm that members of the family were established residents within the city walls, likely participating in the local economy of the time. The name itself likely evolved from regional dialects or topographical descriptions common in Northern England, reflecting how families were often identified by their proximity to specific landmarks or their trade. By living in York during this era, the early Barnick family would have experienced the significant political and religious shifts that defined seventeenth-century England, helping to shape their identity as they moved through the generations.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Beorn
Old English word meaning warrior or bear.
This name
BarnickA locational surname derived from a settlement associated with a warrior or bear-like person.
also spelled
Barnak
Barnake
Documented Sources
Sir Bernard Burke, The General Armory of England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales, London: Harrison & Sons, 1884
Bardsley, Charles Wareing, A Dictionary of English and Welsh Surnames, 1901
York City Archives, York City Chamberlains' Account Rolls, 1620
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
duckResourcefulness on land and water
fessThe military belt, and readiness to serve
duckResourcefulness on land and water
