A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Booke family of England.
Reg. 7406 · English, A–C
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
chevronProtection, and faithful service completed
stagPeace and harmony, and one who will not fight unprovoked
ringFidelity, and a promise kept
Colours
Silver (Argent)Means: Peace and sincerity
Red (Gules)Means: Military strength
Black (Sable)Means: Constancy
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 chev. gu. betw. three bucks' heads sa. an annulet of the first”
EnglandLondon, c. 1620
Where the Booke Arms Were Recorded
London
Map of England showing where the Booke arms are recorded
The Booke arms were recorded in London, c. 1620.
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 Booke 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 Booke Family in England
The surname Booke is a descriptive name that likely originated in England during the Middle Ages. It was often given to people who worked as scribes, scholars, or bookbinders, as the name reflects a close professional connection to written documents. By the early 17th century, the family had established a notable presence in London. Records from 1620 show members of the Booke family living and working within the city during a time of significant social and economic change. As London grew into a global center for trade and printing, individuals with this name were well-positioned to participate in the expanding world of literature and administration. Their presence in the capital suggests they were part of the growing urban middle class that helped shape the city’s identity during the early modern period.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
boc
Old English word for a beech tree or a written document.
This name
BookeAn occupational name for a scribe or someone who lived near a prominent beech tree.
also spelled
Bouke
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
Reaney, P.H., A Dictionary of British Surnames, 1958
The National Archives, Prerogative Court of Canterbury Wills, PROB 11
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
chevronProtection, and faithful service completed
stagPeace and harmony, and one who will not fight unprovoked
ringFidelity, and a promise kept
chevronProtection, and faithful service completed
stagPeace and harmony, and one who will not fight unprovoked
ringFidelity, and a promise kept
