Map of England showing where the Dicken arms are recorded
The Dicken arms were recorded in Salop, c. 1799.
Shropshire lay on the Welsh border, and border country needed men who could fight. Families held their land in return for service, and service in arms is what a coat of arms was originally for.
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.
George III of Great Britain
Sovereign of the period
George III of Great Britain
1760–1801
Reigning in England when the Dicken 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 Salop.
Origin & History of the Dicken Family in England
The surname Dicken is a patronymic name, which means it originated as a way to identify a person as the son of someone named Dick. Because Dick was a common medieval nickname for Richard, the name Dicken essentially means son of Richard. By the late 18th century, the family had established a strong presence in the county of Salop, also known as Shropshire. During this period, families in this region were often deeply connected to the local agricultural economy and the growing trade networks of the English Midlands. The name appears in regional records from 1799, reflecting a time when the family was well-integrated into the social and economic life of the Shropshire countryside. Over generations, the Dicken name became a permanent fixture in the local history of the area, marking the family as long-standing members of the community.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Richard
Germanic name meaning brave or hardy ruler.
This name
DickenA patronymic surname derived from a diminutive form of the name Richard.
also spelled
Dickyn
Dicken
Dykin
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
cross symbolChristian faith and service
lionCourage, strength and royalty
cross symbolChristian faith and service
lionCourage, strength and royalty
