A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Donkin family of England.
Reg. 7095 · English, D–F
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
cross symbolChristian faith and service
chiefAuthority, wisdom and dominion
Colours
Silver (Argent)Means: Peace and sincerity
Red (Gules)Means: Military strength
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. a cross crosslet sa. a chief gu”
Englandc. 1620
Where the Donkin Arms Were Recorded
York
Map of England showing where the Donkin arms are recorded
The Donkin 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 Donkin 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 Donkin Family in England
The surname Donkin is a patronymic name, which means it originated as a way to identify a person as the son of someone named Donk or Duncan. The name has deep roots in Northern England, particularly within the historic city of York. By the year 1620, records confirm that members of the Donkin family were well-established residents in this area. During the seventeenth century, families with this name were often involved in the local trade and merchant guilds that defined the economy of York. As the family grew, they became integrated into the social fabric of the region, leaving behind a legacy that reflects the common naming traditions of the time. The transition from a simple descriptive name to a formal family surname highlights how individuals were identified by their community and their lineage in early modern England.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Duncan
Derived from the Gaelic words for brown warrior or dark fighter.
This name
DonkinA patronymic surname meaning son of the dark or brown warrior.
also spelled
Donkyn
Donken
Related arms
Horsemanrecorded with Donkin, same area
Jenningsrecorded with Donkin, same area
Kendallrecorded with Donkin, same area
Oxleyrecorded with Donkin, same area
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
York City Archives, York Freemen’s Register, 1272–1759
Reaney, P.H., A Dictionary of British Surnames, 1958
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
cross symbolChristian faith and service
chiefAuthority, wisdom and dominion
cross symbolChristian faith and service
chiefAuthority, wisdom and dominion
