Map of England showing where the Dominican arms are recorded
The Dominican arms were recorded in Great Marlow, c. 1720.
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.
George I of Great Britain
Sovereign of the period
George I of Great Britain
1714–1727
Reigning in England when the Dominican 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 Dominican Family in England
The family name Dominican carries a unique historical weight, likely originating as a descriptive or locational identifier rather than a traditional surname. By 1720, records confirm that members of the family were established in the city of York, a major northern English hub known for its deep Roman and medieval roots. During the early eighteenth century, families in this region were often identified by their trade, their religious affiliations, or their specific neighborhood within the city walls. Given the name’s linguistic connection to the Latin term for "of the Lord," it is possible that early ancestors were associated with the Dominican Order, also known as the Blackfriars, who maintained a significant historical presence in York. As these individuals settled into the local community, the name transitioned from a professional or religious designation into a stable family name that persisted through generations of urban life in Northern England.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Dominicus
Latin for belonging to the Lord or master.
This name
DominicanA surname derived from the religious name indicating one belonging to the Lord.
also spelled
Dominic
Dominy
Documented Sources
Sir Bernard Burke, The General Armory of England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales, London: Harrison & Sons, 1884
Palliser, D.M., Tudor York, 1979
Tillott, P.M., A History of the County of York: The City of York, 1961
Borthwick Institute for Archives, York Diocesan Probate Records
York City Archives, Freemen of the City of York Registers
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chevronProtection, and faithful service completed
crownSovereignty, authority and just reward
lionCourage, strength and royalty
chevronProtection, and faithful service completed
crownSovereignty, authority and just reward
lionCourage, strength and royalty
