A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Hankey family of England.
Reg. 5479 · English, G–I
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
paleMilitary strength, and a fortified defence
wolfReward from long service and hard work
Colours
Red (Gules)Means: Military strength
Blue (Azure)Means: Loyalty and truth
Silver (Argent)Means: Peace and sincerity
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)
“Per pale gu. and az. a wolf saliant ar”
ChesterChurton · Chester, c. 1620
Where the Hankey Arms Were Recorded
Chester
Map of England showing where the Hankey arms are recorded
The Hankey arms were recorded in Chester, c. 1620.
Cheshire was governed apart from the rest of England for much of its history, with its own courts and its own gentry. That separateness bred a strong local landed class, and landed families 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 Hankey 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 Chester.
Origin & History of the Hankey Family in England
The family name Hankey is deeply rooted in the history of Cheshire, England, where members of the family were firmly established in the city of Chester by the early seventeenth century. The name is considered a patronymic, meaning it likely originated as a nickname or a diminutive form of the name John, evolving through local dialects into the version we recognize today. During the 1600s, the Hankeys were active participants in the civic and commercial life of Chester, a city that served as a vital hub for trade and regional governance. As the family grew, they became integrated into the local professional classes, often serving in roles that supported the city’s administrative functions. Their presence in Chester during this era reflects a period of stability and growth for the family, allowing them to build a lasting legacy within the northwest of England.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Johan
A Hebrew name meaning Yahweh is gracious.
This name
HankeyA diminutive form of John, historically used as a pet name for someone named John.
also spelled
Hankie
Hanky
Related arms
Hankevariant spelling
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
Hanks, Patrick and Hodges, Flavia, A Dictionary of Surnames, 1988
Cheshire Archives and Local Studies, Chester City Guild Records, 1620
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
paleMilitary strength, and a fortified defence
wolfReward from long service and hard work
paleMilitary strength, and a fortified defence
wolfReward from long service and hard work
