Map of England showing where the Hockin arms are recorded
The Hockin 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 Hockin 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 Hockin Family in England
The surname Hockin is primarily rooted in the southwestern regions of England, particularly Cornwall and Devon, where it evolved as a diminutive form of the name Hock or Hocke. These names were often used as affectionate nicknames for individuals named Roger, as the "Hock" sound was a common variation of the "Hodge" nickname for that name. By the early 17th century, members of the family had moved across the country, as evidenced by records of the Hockin family residing in the city of York by 1620. During this period, families often migrated to growing urban centers for trade and employment opportunities. While the name remained most concentrated in the southwest, the presence of the family in northern England highlights the mobility of people during the Stuart era as they sought to establish themselves in new communities.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Hocke
A medieval pet form of the Germanic name Hugo meaning heart or mind.
This name
HockinA patronymic surname indicating son of Hocke or son of Hugo.
also spelled
Hockyn
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
The National Archives, Parish Register Records for the City of York, 1620
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buckleFidelity, and a bond firmly held
buckleFidelity, and a bond firmly held
