Map of England showing where the Cocker arms are recorded
The Cocker arms were recorded in Lincoln, c. 1620.
Lincolnshire was rich farming country, and its wealth was spread across many middling families. Households of that size bought land and took arms, and the county holds a large share of English names.
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 Cocker 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 Lincoln.
Origin & History of the Cocker Family in England
The surname Cocker is an occupational name that originated in medieval England. It likely described a person who was a breeder or trainer of fighting cocks, a popular activity during that period. The name is also linked to the Middle English word cocker, which referred to a maker of cockers, a type of gaiter or high boot worn by laborers. By the early 17th century, the family had established a notable presence in the city of Lincoln. Records from 1620 confirm that members of the Cocker family were living there, participating in the daily life and commerce of this historic cathedral city. Over time, the family name spread from these regional roots to become a recognized part of the English landscape.
Cocker Meaning & Related Branches
Root word
coc
A Middle English term referring to a cook or a rooster.
This name
CockerAn occupational name for a cook or a nickname for someone resembling a rooster.
also spelled
Coker
Cockar
Related arms
Cokervariant spelling
Kockervariant spelling
Chaytorrecorded with Cocker, same area
Clervauxrecorded with Cocker, same area
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
Lincolnshire Archives, Lincoln City Council Records: Quarter Sessions and Administrative Papers, 1620
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
lionCourage, strength and royalty
lionCourage, strength and royalty
