Map of England showing where the Cockerill arms are recorded
The Cockerill 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 Cockerill 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 Cockerill Family in England
The surname Cockerill is rooted in the northern regions of England, with historical records confirming the family’s presence in the city of York by the early seventeenth century. The name is generally classified as a topographic or habitational surname, likely evolving from a nickname or a reference to a specific local landmark. During the 1600s, families bearing this name were often integrated into the bustling trade and craft networks of York, which was a significant center for commerce at the time. As the family grew, they established themselves as part of the local community, participating in the civic and economic life of the city. Over the following centuries, the name spread from these northern roots to other parts of Britain, often reflecting the migration patterns of laborers and tradespeople seeking new opportunities in growing industrial hubs.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Coc
A diminutive or pet form of the name Cock or Cook.
This name
CockerillA patronymic or diminutive surname referring to the son of a cook or a small rooster.
also spelled
Cockerill
Cockerall
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
Borthwick Institute for Archives, York Diocesan Probate Records, 1620
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cross symbolChristian faith and service
cockCourage, vigilance and readiness for battle
cross symbolChristian faith and service
cockCourage, vigilance and readiness for battle
