A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Coxe family of England.
Reg. 3901 · English, A–C
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
bendDefence, and the scarf of a commander
lanceKnightly service and the tilt
leafHappiness and abundance
Colours
Silver (Argent)Means: Peace and sincerity
Black (Sable)Means: Constancy
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. on a bend sa. a spear head or, in the sinister chief an oak-leaf of the second”
EnglandLondon, c. 1620
Where the Coxe Arms Were Recorded
London
Map of England showing where the Coxe arms are recorded
The Coxe arms were recorded in London, c. 1620.
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 Coxe 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 Coxe Family in England
The surname Coxe is a variant of the name Cock, which originated in England as a descriptive nickname or a reference to a person’s character. During the medieval period, names were often chosen to reflect a person’s perceived traits, and this name likely suggested someone who was proud, bold, or alert like a rooster. By the time the family was firmly established in London in 1620, the name had become a stable hereditary surname passed down through generations. These early London residents were part of a growing urban middle class that included merchants and tradespeople who helped shape the city’s economy. As the family grew, they became deeply involved in the social and political life of England, eventually expanding their influence across the Atlantic as part of the early colonial migrations to North America.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Cock
A male bird or a term of endearment for a young man.
This name
CoxeA patronymic surname derived from a nickname for a spirited or proud person.
also spelled
Cocks
Cockes
Related arms
Cockesvariant spelling
Cocksvariant 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
The National Archives, Prerogative Court of Canterbury Wills, 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
lanceKnightly service and the tilt
leafHappiness and abundance
bendDefence, and the scarf of a commander
lanceKnightly service and the tilt
leafHappiness and abundance
