A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Cockram family of England.
Reg. 6066 · English, A–C
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
bendDefence, and the scarf of a commander
fleur de lisPurity, light, and the sixth son
lionCourage, strength and royalty
Colours
Silver (Argent)Means: Peace and sincerity
Black (Sable)Means: Constancy
Blue (Azure)Means: Loyalty and truth
Gold (Or)Means: Generosity
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 bend sa. betw. two fleurs-de-lis az. three leopards' faces or”
Englandc. 1620
Where the Cockram Arms Were Recorded
York
Map of England showing where the Cockram arms are recorded
The Cockram 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 Cockram 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 Cockram Family in England
The family name Cockram is rooted in the occupational and geographical traditions of medieval England. It is generally considered a variation of the name Cockram or Cockerham, which likely originated from a place name in Lancashire. By the early 17th century, members of the family had established a presence in the historic city of York. During this period, York was a major center for trade and religious life, and families living there were often involved in the city’s bustling merchant guilds or local craft industries. As the family settled into the urban landscape of 1620s York, they became part of a society defined by rapid social change and the expansion of English influence. Their presence in such a significant northern hub suggests that early ancestors were likely integrated into the professional or civic life of the region during a time of great historical transition.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Cocc
An Old English nickname meaning red or ruddy in complexion.
This name
CockramA patronymic surname denoting the son of a man with a red or ruddy appearance.
also spelled
Cockran
Cockrum
Cockrem
Related arms
Cokeram, or Kokeramvariant spelling
Cokerhamvariant spelling
Bartonrecorded with Cockram, same area
Estcourtrecorded with Cockram, 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
York City Archives, York City Chamberlains' Account Rolls, 1620
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
fleur de lisPurity, light, and the sixth son
lionCourage, strength and royalty
bendDefence, and the scarf of a commander
fleur de lisPurity, light, and the sixth son
lionCourage, strength and royalty
