A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Crooke family of England.
Reg. 5145 · English, A–C
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
chiefAuthority, wisdom and dominion
heronPatience and quiet watchfulness
starThe celestial goddess, and nobility
Colours
Silver (Argent)Means: Peace and sincerity
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. a heron rising az. on a chief indented of the second three estoiles or”
NorfolkAlderford · Norfolk, c. 1620
Where the Crooke Arms Were Recorded
Norfolk
Map of England showing where the Crooke arms are recorded
The Crooke arms were recorded in Norfolk, c. 1620.
Norfolk grew rich on wool and grain, and its wealth was spread among many middling families rather than a few great ones. Households of that kind bought land and took arms, and the county holds a large share of English names.
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 Crooke 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 Norfolk.
Origin & History of the Crooke Family in England
The surname Crooke originates from Middle English and Old Norse roots, likely serving as a descriptive nickname for an ancestor who lived near a sharp bend in a river or a curved piece of land. By the early 17th century, the family had established a notable presence in the county of Norfolk, England. Records from 1620 indicate that members of the family were integrated into the local community during a period of significant social and agricultural transition in East Anglia. As the name evolved from a geographic descriptor into a hereditary surname, it became tied to the specific landscapes and village life of the Norfolk region. This early history reflects the common practice of naming families after the distinct physical features of their home territories, marking the Crooke name as a long-standing fixture of the English countryside.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
krokr
Old Norse word meaning a hook or something bent.
This name
CrookeA topographic name for someone who lived near a bend in a river or a hooked piece of land.
also spelled
Crokes
Crooks
Related arms
Crokesvariant spelling
Crooksvariant 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
Norfolk Record Office, Parish Register Transcripts for the Diocese of Norwich, 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
heronPatience and quiet watchfulness
starThe celestial goddess, and nobility
chiefAuthority, wisdom and dominion
heronPatience and quiet watchfulness
starThe celestial goddess, and nobility
