Map of England showing where the Drakes arms are recorded
The Drakes arms were recorded in York, c. 1561.
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.
Elizabeth I of England
Sovereign of the period
Elizabeth I of England
1558–1603
Reigning in England when the Drakes 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 York.
Origin & History of the Drakes Family in England
The surname Drakes is a patronymic name that likely originated from the Old English word draca, which means dragon. In medieval times, this name was often used as a nickname for someone who possessed a fierce or fiery personality. By the year 1561, historical records confirm that members of the Drakes family were well-established in the city of York. During this period, York was a major center for trade and religious life in Northern England. Families living in the city at that time were often involved in the local merchant guilds or the skilled craft industries that defined the region. As the family grew, they became part of the social fabric of Yorkshire, contributing to the local economy and the development of the city throughout the sixteenth century.
Drakes Meaning & Related Branches
Root word
Draco
A Latin term meaning dragon or serpent.
This name
DrakesA habitational name for someone living at a house marked by a dragon sign.
also spelled
Draks
Drakes
Draxxe
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
Bardsley, Charles Wareing, A Dictionary of English and Welsh Surnames, 1901
Borthwick Institute for Archives, York Diocesan Probate Records, 1561
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
chequyConstancy, and the counting-board
chiefAuthority, wisdom and dominion
feathersWilling obedience and serenity
chequyConstancy, and the counting-board
chiefAuthority, wisdom and dominion
feathersWilling obedience and serenity
