Map of England showing where the Calling arms are recorded
The Calling 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 Calling 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 Calling Family in England
The family name Calling has deep roots in the historic city of York, where records confirm members of the family were living as early as 1620. During the seventeenth century, York was a bustling center of trade and religion, and families like the Callings were often integrated into the local economy as skilled tradespeople or merchants. The name itself likely originated as a descriptive term or a nickname, which was a common practice for identifying individuals in medieval England before formal surnames became strictly hereditary. By settling in a major northern hub like York, the family would have been part of a vibrant community that navigated the significant political and social shifts of the Stuart era. Their presence in the city during this time suggests they were established residents who contributed to the local life and development of the region for generations.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Call
Derived from the Old Norse word kalla meaning to shout or cry.
This name
CallingAn occupational surname for a town crier or someone with a loud voice.
also spelled
Culinge
Culleng
Documented Sources
Sir Bernard Burke, The General Armory of England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales, London: Harrison & Sons, 1884
Borthwick Institute for Archives, York Diocesan Probate Records
Collins, Francis, Register of the Freemen of the City of York, 1897
Raine, Angelo, Mediaeval York: A Topographical Survey Based on Original Sources, 1955
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