A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Cokeley family of England.
Reg. 1770 · English, A–C
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
bendDefence, and the scarf of a commander
lionCourage, strength and royalty
Colours
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)
“Or, a lion ramp. gu. over all a bend sa”
Englandc. 1620
Where the Cokeley Arms Were Recorded
York
Map of England showing where the Cokeley arms are recorded
The Cokeley 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 Cokeley 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 Cokeley Family in England
The Cokeley family name traces its roots to the historic city of York, where records confirm members of the family were living as early as 1620. During this period, York was a bustling center of trade and religious life, and families like the Cokeleys were often integrated into the local merchant or craft guilds that defined the city’s economy. The name itself likely evolved from a geographical descriptor or a nickname used to identify individuals based on their occupation or the specific neighborhood they inhabited. As the family grew, they became part of the social fabric of Northern England, navigating the significant political and cultural shifts of the seventeenth century. By establishing themselves in a major urban hub like York, the early Cokeleys were positioned to participate in the regional growth that characterized the era, leaving a lasting mark on the local history of the city.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Coke
An occupational term for a cook or a seller of coal.
This name
CokeleyA topographical or occupational name referring to a meadow belonging to a cook.
also spelled
Cokely
Cookley
Documented Sources
Sir Bernard Burke, The General Armory of England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales, London: Harrison & Sons, 1884
Baines, Edward, History, Directory and Gazetteer of the County of York, 1822
The National Archives, Prerogative Court of Canterbury and Related Probate Jurisdictions: Will Registers, 1620
York City Archives, York Freemen’s Register, 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
lionCourage, strength and royalty
bendDefence, and the scarf of a commander
lionCourage, strength and royalty
