A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Cocke family lines. Documented in 2 countries.
Reg. 5330 · English, A–C
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
bendDefence, and the scarf of a commander
cantonA mark of honour granted by the sovereign
cockCourage, vigilance and readiness for battle
Colours
Silver (Argent)Means: Peace and sincerity
Black (Sable)Means: Constancy
Gold (Or)Means: Generosity
Blue (Azure)Means: Loyalty and truth
Red (Gules)Means: Military strength
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. a bend wavy sa. betw. three cocks gu. a canton barry wavy of six or and az”
Englandc. 1620
Where the Cocke Arms Were Recorded
York
Map of England showing where the Cocke arms are recorded
The Cocke 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 Cocke 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 Cocke Family in England
The surname Cocke is rooted in the linguistic traditions of medieval England, where it likely originated as a descriptive nickname or a shortened form of names like Nicholas. By the early seventeenth century, the family had established a notable presence in the historic city of York. Records from this period suggest that members of the family were integrated into the local community, living within a region defined by its deep ties to trade and regional governance. As the name spread throughout the English countryside, it became associated with the social and economic shifts of the era. The presence of the Cocke family in York by 1620 reflects a time when many families were beginning to document their lives more formally through parish registers and local legal records. This period serves as a vital anchor point for understanding how the family name transitioned from its early origins into a recognized part of the English social landscape.
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
chiefAuthority, wisdom and dominion
roseThe seventh son, and beauty with grace
Colours
Silver (Argent)Means: Peace and sincerity
Blue (Azure)Means: Loyalty and truth
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 chief az. two roses of the first”
Scotlandc. 1748
Where the Cocke Arms Were Recorded
Edinburgh
Map of Scotland showing where the Cocke arms are recorded
The Cocke arms were recorded in Scotland, c. 1748.
Arms such as these were typically recorded in Edinburgh.
Edinburgh was the seat of Scotland's government, its courts and its heralds. Families with business there settled nearby, and being close to where arms were recorded is exactly why so many of them appear.
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 Scotland in this period.
George II of Great Britain
Sovereign of the period
George II of Great Britain
1727–1760
Reigning in England when the Cocke arms are first recorded.
How Arms Worked in Scotland
Scottish heraldry is unique because it treats a coat of arms as a piece of personal property protected by law. Only one person can own a specific design at any given time. When a family grows, the head keeps the original shield while other relatives must apply for their own distinct version with slight changes to prove their specific identity.
Granting authority
The Court of the Lord Lyon acts as the official body that regulates and controls all heraldic matters throughout Scotland.
How they got arms
Individuals obtain a legal right to their arms through a formal petition process that confirms their identity and family connection.
Where arms were recorded
All valid coats of arms are officially entered into the Public Register of All Arms and Bearings starting from 1672.
The family's standing
Recorded among the armigerous families of Scotland.
Origin & History of the Cocke Family in Scotland
The surname Cocke is rooted in the linguistic landscape of medieval Scotland, where it likely originated as a descriptive nickname or a variation of the common occupational name Cook. By the mid-eighteenth century, the family had established a notable presence in the bustling urban environment of Edinburgh. During this period, the city was undergoing a massive intellectual and social transformation known as the Scottish Enlightenment. Families living in Edinburgh in 1748 were often part of a growing class of merchants, tradespeople, and professionals who helped shape the city’s civic life. While the name itself reflects older roots in the northern dialects of Britain, its appearance in the official records of Edinburgh during the 1740s highlights the family's integration into the heart of Scottish society during a time of significant cultural progress.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Coc
An Old English term referring to a male bird or rooster.
This name
CockeA nickname for a proud or strutting person, or an occupational name for a cook.
also spelled
Coke
Kock
Cocks
Coock
Related arms
Cocksvariant spelling
Cokevariant spelling
Coockvariant spelling
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, Percy Hide, A Dictionary of British Surnames, 1958
Borthwick Institute for Archives, York Diocesan Probate Records
The National Archives, State Papers Domestic, James I
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
bendDefence, and the scarf of a commander
cantonA mark of honour granted by the sovereign
cockCourage, vigilance and readiness for battle
bendDefence, and the scarf of a commander
cantonA mark of honour granted by the sovereign
cockCourage, vigilance and readiness for battle
chiefAuthority, wisdom and dominion
roseThe seventh son, and beauty with grace
