A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Coxhead family of England.
Reg. 3314 · English, A–C
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
chiefAuthority, wisdom and dominion
cinquefoilHope and joy
Colours
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)
“Az. a cinquefoil ar. a chief lozengy ar. and gu”
Englandc. 1620
Where the Coxhead Arms Were Recorded
York
Map of England showing where the Coxhead arms are recorded
The Coxhead 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 Coxhead 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 Coxhead Family in England
The surname Coxhead is an English topographic name that likely originated as a descriptive term for someone who lived near a prominent hill or a rounded geographical feature. The word itself combines the Old English elements for a cock or bird and a head, suggesting that early ancestors may have resided on a piece of land shaped like the head of a rooster. By the early 17th century, the family had established a notable presence in the city of York. Records from 1620 confirm that members of the Coxhead family were active participants in the civic and social life of this historic northern hub. During this era, families often settled in specific regions for generations, and the Coxhead name became firmly rooted in the local community through trade and parish involvement. This early residency in York highlights the family's long-standing connection to the urban development and historical narrative of Northern England.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Cock-head
A topographical reference to a hill or a prominent headland.
This name
CoxheadLikely a locational surname referring to someone who lived near a prominent hill or ridge.
also spelled
Coxhed
Coxhede
Coxhaid
Documented Sources
Sir Bernard Burke, The General Armory of England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales, London: Harrison & Sons, 1884
Reaney, P.H. and Wilson, R.M., A Dictionary of English Surnames, 1991
Bardsley, Charles Wareing, A Dictionary of English and Welsh Surnames, 1901
Borthwick Institute for Archives, York Diocesan Probate Records, 1620
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
chiefAuthority, wisdom and dominion
cinquefoilHope and joy
chiefAuthority, wisdom and dominion
cinquefoilHope and joy
