A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Coxon family of England.
Reg. 8994 · English, A–C
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
fessThe military belt, and readiness to serve
lionCourage, strength and royalty
Colours
Blue (Azure)Means: Loyalty and truth
Gold (Or)Means: Generosity
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 fesse embattled or, betw. three demi lions pass. ar”
NorthumberlandMorpeth · Northumberland, c. 1620
Where the Coxon Arms Were Recorded
Northumberland
Map of England showing where the Coxon arms are recorded
The Coxon arms were recorded in Northumberland, c. 1620.
Northumberland was border country facing Scotland, raided and fought over for three hundred years. Families held their land in return for defending it, and a defending household carried a shield.
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 Coxon 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 Northumberland.
Origin & History of the Coxon Family in England
The surname Coxon is a patronymic name, which means it was originally created to identify a person as the son of someone named Cock or Cox. This name likely originated as a shortened version of the name Cook or a nickname derived from the word cock, which was a common term for a spirited or energetic person in Middle English. By the early 17th century, the family had established a strong presence in the northern English county of Northumberland. During this period, the region was characterized by rugged landscapes and a distinct border culture that shaped the lives of local families. Records from 1620 confirm that the Coxon name was already well-rooted in this area, where members of the family likely worked in agriculture, mining, or trade to support their communities. Over time, the family name spread from these northern roots as individuals moved across England in search of new opportunities and livelihoods.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Cock
A diminutive form of the name Cook or a term for a rooster.
This name
CoxonA patronymic surname meaning son of the person nicknamed Cock or son of Cook.
also spelled
Coxan
Coxen
Coxyn
Related arms
Cocksonvariant spelling
Coxan, or Coxenvariant spelling
Orderecorded with Coxon, same area
Thompsonrecorded with Coxon, same area
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, 1958
Lower, Mark Antony, Patronymica Britannica: A Dictionary of the Family Names of the United Kingdom, 1860
fessThe military belt, and readiness to serve
lionCourage, strength and royalty
fessThe military belt, and readiness to serve
lionCourage, strength and royalty
