A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Cookson family of England.
Reg. 2407 · English, A–C
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
paleMilitary strength, and a fortified defence
legStrength and swiftness
Colours
Silver (Argent)Means: Peace and sincerity
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)
“Per pale ar. and gu. two legs in fesse in armour ppr. couped at the thigh”
CumberlandCumberland, c. 1620
Where the Cookson Arms Were Recorded
Cumberland
Map of England showing where the Cookson arms are recorded
The Cookson arms were recorded in Cumberland, c. 1620.
Cumberland was rough border country in the north-west, facing Scotland across a disputed line. Its families held land in return for keeping it defended, and men who fought carried shields of their own.
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 Cookson 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 Cumberland.
Origin & History of the Cookson Family in England
The surname Cookson is an occupational name that originated in Northern England, specifically identifying the son of a cook. During the medieval period, a cook was a vital member of a large household or a professional who prepared food for public sale. By the early 17th century, the family had established a strong presence in the county of Cumberland. Records confirm that members of the Cookson family were living in this region by 1620, where they were likely integrated into the local agricultural or trade communities. Because Cumberland was a border region with a unique social structure, families like the Cooksons often played a role in the local economy and the development of rural parishes. Over time, the name became firmly rooted in the landscape of Northern England, reflecting the transition from a descriptive job title to a permanent family identity.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Coc
An Old English term referring to a cook or food preparer.
This name
CooksonA patronymic surname indicating the son of a professional cook.
also spelled
Kookson
Related arms
Hartleyrecorded with Cookson, 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
Cumbria Archive Service, Kendal Archive Centre, Records of the Parish of Kendal, 1620
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
paleMilitary strength, and a fortified defence
legStrength and swiftness
paleMilitary strength, and a fortified defence
legStrength and swiftness
