Map of England showing where the Dockter arms are recorded
The Dockter 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 Dockter 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 Dockter Family in England
The name Dockter is a variation of the occupational surname Doctor, which originated in medieval Europe to describe someone who was a learned teacher or a scholar. By the early 17th century, the family had established a presence in York, England, where records from 1620 confirm their residence. During this period, surnames were becoming more stable as families settled into specific communities and trades. While the name originally implied a high level of academic or medical training, it eventually became a hereditary family marker passed down through generations. These early members in York lived during a time of significant social change in England, and their presence in city records suggests they were integrated into the local economy and civic life of the region.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Dohtor
Old English term for a learned person or teacher.
This name
DockterAn occupational surname for a scholar, teacher, or practitioner of medicine.
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
York City Archives, York City Chamberlains' Account Rolls, 1620
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lanceKnightly service and the tilt
lanceKnightly service and the tilt
