A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Cricket family of England.
Reg. 5801 · English, A–C
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
cross symbolChristian faith and service
chiefAuthority, wisdom and dominion
crescentHonour by the sovereign, and the second son
Colours
Green (Vert)Means: Hope
Gold (Or)Means: Generosity
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)
“Vert, a cross couped and pierced or, on a chief ar. three crescents gu”
Englandc. 1620
Where the Cricket Arms Were Recorded
York
Map of England showing where the Cricket arms are recorded
The Cricket 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 Cricket 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 Cricket Family in England
The surname Cricket originates from the historical landscape of Northern England, with documented evidence placing the family in the city of York by the year 1620. The name likely functioned as a descriptive nickname, possibly derived from the Middle English word *kriket*, which referred to the insect known for its lively nature. In the seventeenth century, York was a bustling center of trade and religious activity, providing a stable environment for families to establish their roots. Early members of the Cricket family were integrated into the local community during a period of significant social change in Britain. By settling in such a prominent urban hub, these ancestors were positioned to participate in the growing merchant and artisan classes that defined the region. This early presence in York suggests that the family was well-established within the local parish systems and municipal records of the era.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
criquet
Old French word for a small stool or a creaking sound.
This name
CricketA nickname for a small, lively person or someone who made a creaking noise.
also spelled
Criket
Crycket
Crikett
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
York City Archives, York City Chamberlains' Account Rolls. 1620
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
cross symbolChristian faith and service
chiefAuthority, wisdom and dominion
crescentHonour by the sovereign, and the second son
cross symbolChristian faith and service
chiefAuthority, wisdom and dominion
crescentHonour by the sovereign, and the second son
