Map of Netherlands showing where the Cox arms are recorded
The Cox arms were recorded in Netherlands, c. 1815.
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
1815
Granting Authority for the Cox 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.
William I of the Netherlands
Sovereign of the period
William I of the Netherlands
1815–1840
Reigning in Netherlands when the Cox arms are first recorded.
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 Cox Family in Netherlands
The surname Cox has deep roots in the Low Countries, where it often functioned as a patronymic name derived from the personal name Koch or Kock. In the northern province of Friesland, the family was well-established by the early nineteenth century, a period when the Dutch government began formalizing civil registration to track citizens more accurately. During this era, families in Friesland often lived in close-knit agricultural communities where names were passed down through generations of farmers and tradespeople. As the region moved through the Napoleonic era and into the formation of the United Kingdom of the Netherlands in 1815, families like the Coxes became part of a standardized administrative system. This transition helped solidify the spelling of the name as it transitioned from spoken local dialects into official government ledgers. By documenting these individuals in the 1815 records, historians can trace how the family adapted to the changing social and political landscape of the Dutch provinces.
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
cantonA mark of honour granted by the sovereign
lionCourage, strength and royalty
Colours
Silver (Argent)Means: Peace and sincerity
Red (Gules)Means: Military strength
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. three bars gu. on a canton az. a lion's head erased or”
LimerickLimerick, c. 1645
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Map of Ireland showing where the Cox arms are recorded
The Cox arms were recorded in Limerick, c. 1645.
Limerick was river country in western Ireland with a walled city at its centre. Merchant families ran the city and bought land around it, and both the trade and the land brought 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 Ireland in this period.
Charles I of England
Sovereign of the period
Charles I of England
1625–1649
Reigning in Netherlands when the Cox arms are first recorded.
How Arms Worked in Ireland
The Ulster King of Arms granted coats of arms to individuals who proved their social standing and good character. These symbols were typically inherited by all legitimate descendants of the original holder. If a family branch wanted a unique look, they could apply for a specific change to their design through the office to ensure their identity remained distinct.
Granting authority
The Ulster King of Arms acted as the official body that regulated and issued all coats of arms throughout Ireland.
How they got arms
Families obtained their arms through formal grants issued by the office after proving their eligibility and paying the required fees.
Where arms were recorded
All official grants were recorded in the registers held by the Ulster King of Arms starting from the year 1552.
The family's standing
Recorded among the armigerous families of Limerick.
Origin & History of the Cox Family in Ireland
The family name Cox has deep roots in Ireland, particularly within the region of County Limerick. By the year 1645, members of the family were already established as notable figures in the area. The name itself is thought to be an anglicized version of the Gaelic name Mac an Choiligh, which translates to son of the cock or rooster. Over time, the spelling shifted to the more familiar Cox as families interacted with English administration and record-keeping systems. These early settlers in Limerick often held positions of local influence and were involved in the complex political landscape of seventeenth-century Ireland. Their presence in the region highlights how families of both native Irish and immigrant backgrounds integrated into the social fabric of the province of Munster during a period of significant historical change.
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
lionCourage, strength and royalty
Colours
Gold (Or)Means: Generosity
Blue (Azure)Means: Loyalty and truth
Red (Gules)Means: Military strength
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)
“Or, three bars az. on a quarter gu. a lion's head couped ar”
HertfordBeamonds · Hertford, c. 1620
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
Map of England showing where the Cox arms are recorded
The Cox arms were recorded in Hertford, c. 1620.
Hertfordshire lay just north of London and filled with families who had made money in the City. Buying an estate within a day's ride was the usual next step, and an estate brought arms with it.
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 Cox 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 Hertford.
Origin & History of the Cox Family in England
The surname Cox is a patronymic name that originated in England, evolving from the Old English word "cock," which was a common nickname for a spirited or proud man. By the early 17th century, families bearing this name were well-established in various parts of the country, including the town of Hertford. Records show that members of the Cox family were living in this region by 1620, where they likely worked as tradespeople or farmers within the local community. During this period, surnames were becoming increasingly fixed as a way to identify families for tax and parish records. The presence of the family in Hertford suggests they were part of the growing middle class that helped shape the social and economic life of English market towns during the reign of King James I.
Cox Meaning & Related Branches
Root word
Cock
A male bird or a term for a leader or chief.
This name
CoxA patronymic or occupational name referring to a rooster or a person with cock-like characteristics.
also spelled
Kox
Koks
Coxe
Cocks
Cockes
Related arms
Carysame arms
Coreysame arms
Currysame arms
Cocksvariant spelling
Documented Sources
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Tresoar (Fries Historisch en Letterkundig Centrum), Bevolkingsregister van Friesland
Nederlandse Familienamenbank, Nederlandse Familienamenbank
Meertens Instituut, Nederlandse Voornamenbank
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
cramponFirm hold on what has been gained
cramponFirm hold on what has been gained
cantonA mark of honour granted by the sovereign
lionCourage, strength and royalty
