Map of England showing where the Cheikh arms are recorded
The Cheikh arms were recorded in Essex, c. 1620.
Essex lay close enough to London for City money to buy land there. Merchants who prospered moved out to estates within a day's ride, and a new landowner almost always wanted arms to go with the ground.
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 Cheikh 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 Essex.
Origin & History of the Cheikh Family in England
The surname Cheikh finds its roots in the Arabic language, where it serves as a title of respect for a leader, elder, or religious scholar. While the name is most commonly associated with North Africa and the Middle East, historical records indicate that individuals bearing this name were present in Essex, England, as early as 1620. During the seventeenth century, England saw an increase in trade and diplomatic contact with the Islamic world, which occasionally led to the movement of travelers, merchants, and scholars across borders. The presence of the family in Essex suggests that these early ancestors may have been part of this growing exchange of culture and commerce. Over time, families with this name integrated into local English communities while maintaining a unique connection to their linguistic and cultural heritage.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Shaykh
An elder or leader of a tribe or religious community.
This name
CheikhA title of respect denoting a learned person or a tribal leader.
also spelled
Cheeke
Cheek
Cheke
Documented Sources
Sir Bernard Burke, The General Armory of England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales, London: Harrison & Sons, 1884
Matar, Nabil, Britain and Barbary, 1589-1689, 2005
Vaughan, Dorothy M., Europe and the Turk: A Pattern of Alliances, 1350-1700, 1954
The National Archives, State Papers Domestic: James I, SP 14
Essex Record Office, Quarter Sessions Records, Q/SR
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cockCourage, vigilance and readiness for battle
cockCourage, vigilance and readiness for battle
