A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Docker family of England.
Reg. 2596 · English, D–F
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
lanceKnightly service and the tilt
Colours
Silver (Argent)Means: Peace and sincerity
Black (Sable)Means: Constancy
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. seven half spears, three, one, and three sa. headed az”
Englandc. 1620
Where the Docker Arms Were Recorded
York
Map of England showing where the Docker arms are recorded
The Docker 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 Docker 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 Docker Family in England
The surname Docker is traditionally linked to the geography of Northern England, specifically the historic county of Westmorland and the city of York. Etymologists often trace the name to the Old Norse word "dokk," which refers to a small valley or a hollow in the landscape. This suggests that the earliest ancestors to bear the name likely lived near such a topographical feature. By the year 1620, records confirm that members of the Docker family were well-established residents of York. During this period, the family was integrated into the urban life of the city, likely participating in the local trades and civic duties that defined life in a major northern hub. Their presence in York during the early seventeenth century highlights a transition from rural origins toward the growing commercial centers of the era.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
doc
A Middle English term derived from the verb to dock or cut.
This name
DockerAn occupational surname for someone who worked as a dock laborer or ship loader.
also spelled
Dockar
Dockur
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
Borthwick Institute for Archives, York Diocesan Probate Records, 1620
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
lanceKnightly service and the tilt
lanceKnightly service and the tilt
