Map of England showing where the Crutcher arms are recorded
The Crutcher 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 Crutcher 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 Crutcher Family in England
The surname Crutcher is believed to have originated in England, with historical records placing members of the family in the city of York as early as 1620. The name is likely occupational in nature, derived from the Middle English word "crutch," which referred to a staff or a support used for walking. It is probable that the first people to carry this name were either makers of these wooden supports or individuals who were known for using one due to an injury or a disability. As the family established itself in the northern regions of England, they became part of the local community life in York during the early seventeenth century. Over time, the name spread as family members moved for work or trade, eventually crossing the Atlantic to the American colonies. This transition allowed the family to grow and settle in new regions while maintaining the identity rooted in their English heritage.
Crutcher Meaning & Related Branches
Root word
croc
Old French word for a hook or a crook.
This name
CrutcherAn occupational surname for a maker or user of hooks, crooks, or crutches.
also spelled
Crutchly
Crutchleigh
Crutchlay
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. and Wilson, R.M., A Dictionary of English Surnames, 1991
The National Archives, York City Archives: House Books, 1620
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
chevronProtection, and faithful service completed
roundelA coin, and one who has been to the crusades
chevronProtection, and faithful service completed
roundelA coin, and one who has been to the crusades
