A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Dykens family of England.
Reg. 4219 · English, D–F
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
cross symbolChristian faith and service
crownSovereignty, authority and just reward
Colours
ErmineMeans: Dignity
Gold (Or)Means: Generosity
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)
“Erm. on a cross patonce sa. a leopard's head issuing out of a ducal coronet or”
Englandc. 1620
Where the Dykens Arms Were Recorded
York
Map of England showing where the Dykens arms are recorded
The Dykens 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 Dykens 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 Dykens Family in England
The family name Dykens has roots that trace back to the northern English city of York during the early seventeenth century. Historical records confirm that members of the family were established in this region by 1620, living during a time of significant social and religious change in England. The name itself is likely a variation of the older name Dike, which was often used to describe people who lived near a ditch, a bank, or a water channel. Over many generations, the spelling evolved as families moved through different parishes and recorded their names in local church registers. By settling in a major hub like York, the early Dykens family would have been part of a busy urban environment defined by trade, craft guilds, and the daily life of a growing cathedral city. This early presence in York suggests that the family was well-integrated into the local community long before many people began to migrate to other parts of the world.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Dike
A ditch, trench, or defensive earthwork barrier.
This name
DykensA topographic name for someone who lived near a ditch or embankment.
also spelled
Dickins
Dykens
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, Parish Registers of St. Michael-le-Belfrey, 1600–1650
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
crownSovereignty, authority and just reward
cross symbolChristian faith and service
crownSovereignty, authority and just reward
