A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Cockerell family of England.
Reg. 2292 · English, A–C
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
cross symbolChristian faith and service
cockCourage, vigilance and readiness for battle
Colours
Gold (Or)Means: Generosity
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)
“Or, (another, ar.) a cross betw. four cocks gu”
Englandc. 1620
Where the Cockerell Arms Were Recorded
York
Map of England showing where the Cockerell arms are recorded
The Cockerell 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 Cockerell 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 Cockerell Family in England
The surname Cockerell is a descriptive name that originated in medieval England, likely serving as a nickname for a person who displayed the energetic or strutting qualities of a young rooster. By the early seventeenth century, the family had established a notable presence in the historic city of York. Records from 1620 confirm that members of the Cockerell family were active participants in the local community during this period, which was a time of significant social and economic change in Northern England. These early ancestors were likely involved in the trades and civic life that defined York as a major regional hub. Over time, the name spread from these northern roots to other parts of the country, carried by families who maintained their identity through generations of local service and labor.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
coc
An Old French term referring to a young male bird or rooster.
This name
CockerellA diminutive form denoting a young cockerel, likely used as a nickname.
also spelled
Cockerill
Cockerall
Documented Sources
Sir Bernard Burke, The General Armory of England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales, London: Harrison & Sons, 1884
Reaney, P.H., A Dictionary of English Surnames, 1991
Bardsley, Charles Wareing, A Dictionary of English and Welsh Surnames, 1901
The National Archives, York Probate Records, 1620
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
cross symbolChristian faith and service
cockCourage, vigilance and readiness for battle
cross symbolChristian faith and service
cockCourage, vigilance and readiness for battle
