A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Cocks family lines. Documented in 2 countries.
Reg. 5559 · Dutch, A–C
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
chevronProtection, and faithful service completed
mountThe ground held, and steadfastness upon it
fessThe military belt, and readiness to serve
stagPeace and harmony, and one who will not fight unprovoked
Colours
Black (Sable)Means: Constancy
Gold (Or)Means: Generosity
Silver (Argent)Means: Peace and sincerity
Historical info
Source
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Blazon (the actual original written record)
“De sa. au chev. d'or, acc. de trois massacres de cerf d'arg. C.: un cerf reg. d'arg., couché sur un tertre de sin. S.: deux lions d'herm., coll. chacun d'une fasce vivrée de sin. D.: PRODESSE QUAM CONSPICI.”
Netherlandsc. 1772
Where the Cocks Arms Were Recorded
Friesland
Map of Netherlands showing where the Cocks arms are recorded
The Cocks arms were recorded in Netherlands, c. 1772.
Arms such as these were typically recorded in Friesland.
Friesland was low, wet country on the northern coast of the Netherlands, farmed by families who had held the same land for centuries. Free landholders were unusually common there, and a free landholder could carry 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.
Region
Friesland
First recorded
1772
Granting Authority for the Cocks Arms
Hoge Raad van Adel
Photograph made by me · CC BY-SA 3.0
The body that granted and recorded arms in Netherlands in this period.
How Arms Worked in Netherlands
In the Netherlands, coats of arms were often used by noble families and those who held specific public offices. These arms were passed down through the generations to legitimate descendants. Younger branches of a family usually kept the original design without needing to add special marks. This system ensured that the family identity remained clear and consistent over many years.
Granting authority
The Hoge Raad van Adel is the official body that regulates and manages noble titles and coats of arms in the Netherlands.
How they got arms
Families typically obtained their coats of arms through official royal grants or by proving their long-standing historical use of the symbols.
Where arms were recorded
Coats of arms are officially recorded in the registers held by the Hoge Raad van Adel, which began its work in 1814.
The family's standing
Recorded among the armigerous families of Netherlands.
Origin & History of the Cocks Family in Netherlands
The surname Cocks, while often associated with English origins, has a distinct historical footprint in the Netherlands, particularly within the northern province of Friesland. By the year 1772, records confirm that members of the family were well-established in this region, which was known for its unique culture and independent spirit. In the Dutch context, the name likely evolved from local naming traditions where descriptive nicknames or occupational titles were gradually adopted as permanent family identifiers. During the eighteenth century, Friesland was a hub of maritime trade and agricultural development, and families like the Cocks were often integrated into these local economies. Because the Frisian people maintained strong regional customs, the presence of the family there suggests they were part of a stable community that valued record-keeping and land ownership. This early documentation provides a clear window into how the family name took root in Dutch soil long before the modern era of standardized surnames.
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
chevronProtection, and faithful service completed
fessThe military belt, and readiness to serve
stagPeace and harmony, and one who will not fight unprovoked
Colours
Black (Sable)Means: Constancy
Silver (Argent)Means: Peace and sincerity
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)
“Sa. a chev. betw. three stags' attires ar. (Earl Somers is entitled to quarter the arms of SOMERS, viz., Vert a fesse indented erm.)”
Englandc. 1620
Where the Cocks Arms Were Recorded
York
Map of England showing where the Cocks arms are recorded
The Cocks 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 Netherlands when the Cocks 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 Cocks Family in England
The surname Cocks is a patronymic name that likely originated as a nickname for a person with a bold or strutting personality, drawing a comparison to the rooster. While the name appears in various parts of England, historical records confirm that members of the family were firmly established in the city of York by 1620. During this period, York was a major northern hub for trade and administration, placing the family in a central location for local commerce and civic life. As the name spread across the region, it often evolved in spelling due to the way clerks recorded names phonetically in parish registers and legal documents. By the early 17th century, the Cocks family had become part of the social fabric of northern England, contributing to the local workforce and community growth during a time of significant transition in British history.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Cock
A male bird or a rooster used as a nickname.
This name
CocksA patronymic surname derived from a nickname for a proud or strutting person.
also spelled
Cox
Kocks
Kox
Koks
Coxe
Related arms
Coxvariant spelling
Koxvariant spelling
Cockevariant spelling
Cockesvariant spelling
Documented Sources
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Tresoar (Fries Historisch en Letterkundig Centrum), Doop-, trouw-, begraaf- en lidmatenregisters van Friesland
H.J. Poppinga, Friese familienamen en hun herkomst, 1985
Centraal Bureau voor Genealogie, Nederlandse Familienamenbank, 2010
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
chevronProtection, and faithful service completed
mountThe ground held, and steadfastness upon it
fessThe military belt, and readiness to serve
stagPeace and harmony, and one who will not fight unprovoked
chevronProtection, and faithful service completed
mountThe ground held, and steadfastness upon it
fessThe military belt, and readiness to serve
stagPeace and harmony, and one who will not fight unprovoked
