Map of France showing where the Hocking arms are recorded
The Hocking arms were recorded in France, c. 1663.
Arms such as these were typically recorded in Bretagne.
More families held coats of arms in Bretagne than anywhere else in France. The land was divided into many small estates rather than a few large ones, so far more households counted as gentry, and each needed a shield of its own to be told apart.
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 France in this period.
Louis XIV of France
Sovereign of the period
Louis XIV of France
1643–1715
Reigning in France when the Hocking arms are first recorded.
How Arms Worked in France
In France, a coat of arms was a mark of honor that passed down through the male line to all legitimate descendants. Families often used the same shield without changes to show their shared heritage. If a branch wanted to stand out, they could add a small mark to their shield to show their specific place in the family tree.
Granting authority
The Juge d'armes de France acted as the official authority that regulated and verified coats of arms across the country.
How they got arms
Families typically inherited their arms from ancestors, though they could also receive them through royal grants or by proving their noble status.
Where arms were recorded
Coats of arms were officially recorded in the Armorial Général de France, which began its main collection in the year 1696.
The family's standing
Recorded among the armigerous families of France.
Origin & History of the Hocking Family in France
The surname Hocking has deep roots that connect it to the coastal regions of Western Europe. While the name is often associated with the rugged landscapes of Cornwall in England, historical records confirm that family members were established in the province of Bretagne by 1663. During this period, the region was a center for maritime trade and agriculture, which likely influenced the daily lives and occupations of the early Hocking family. Many families with this name were known for their involvement in local community leadership and skilled trades. As they moved across the English Channel, they maintained strong cultural ties to both the French and British coasts. This migration pattern suggests that the family was part of a broader network of people who traveled frequently between these two regions for work and family connections.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Hock
A diminutive form of the Germanic name Hoke or Hugo meaning heart.
This name
HockingA patronymic surname derived from the personal name Hock, signifying son of Hock.
also spelled
Huckinge
Huckingh
Huckin
Documented Sources
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Archives départementales du Finistère, Registres paroissiaux et d'état civil
Guilcher, Jean-Michel, La tradition populaire de danse en Basse-Bretagne, 1963
Tanguy, Bernard, Dictionnaire des noms de communes, trèves et paroisses du Finistère, 1990
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
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