A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Coo family of England.
Reg. 1661 · English, A–C
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
pileWell-doing, and a mark of distinction
Colours
ErmineMeans: Dignity
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)
“Erm. three piles wavy gu”
NorfolkNorfolk, c. 1620
Where the Coo Arms Were Recorded
Norfolk
Map of England showing where the Coo arms are recorded
The Coo arms were recorded in Norfolk, c. 1620.
Norfolk grew rich on wool and grain, and its wealth was spread among many middling families rather than a few great ones. Households of that kind bought land and took arms, and the county holds a large share of English names.
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 Coo 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 Norfolk.
Origin & History of the Coo Family in England
The surname Coo is an ancient English name that traces its roots back to the medieval period in the county of Norfolk. Historians believe the name likely originated as a nickname derived from the Middle English word for a jackdaw, a bird known for its distinct call and social nature. By the year 1620, records confirm that families bearing the name Coo were well-established members of the Norfolk community, often working as skilled farmers or tradespeople within the local villages. These early families were deeply connected to the landscape of East Anglia, where they lived and worked for generations. Because the name was relatively localized, it suggests that the early Coo ancestors were part of a stable, tight-knit population that remained in the region for centuries. Their presence in the historical records of the early 17th century provides a clear link to the rural life and social structure of England during that era.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Cū
Old English word for a cow or bovine animal.
This name
CooAn occupational surname for a cowherd or someone who kept cattle.
also spelled
Cou
Coow
Related arms
Coevariant spelling
Cou, or Coueyvariant spelling
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
Norfolk Record Office, Archdeaconry of Norwich Wills, 1620
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pileWell-doing, and a mark of distinction
pileWell-doing, and a mark of distinction
