Map of England showing where the Hocker arms are recorded
The Hocker 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 Hocker 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 Hocker Family in England
The surname Hocker is believed to have originated as an occupational name in medieval England, likely referring to a person who worked as a hawker or a small-scale merchant. By the early 17th century, the family had established a notable presence in the historic city of York. Records from 1620 confirm that members of the Hocker family were active participants in the local community during this period of significant social change. As residents of a major northern trade hub, these early ancestors were likely involved in the bustling markets and craft guilds that defined the city’s economy. Their presence in York suggests that the family was well-integrated into the urban life of the era, contributing to the local commerce and civic development that characterized the region before many families began their journeys to the New World.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Hoc
Old English word meaning a hook or a curved shape.
This name
HockerAn occupational name for a person who used a hook or lived near a hooked-shaped piece of land.
also spelled
Hocker
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
Reaney, P.H., A Dictionary of British Surnames, 1958
The National Archives, York City Archives: Chamberlains' Account Books, 1620
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
fessThe military belt, and readiness to serve
masclePersuasion and the mail of a knight's coat
fessThe military belt, and readiness to serve
masclePersuasion and the mail of a knight's coat
