Map of England showing where the Hokes arms are recorded
The Hokes 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 Hokes 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 Hokes Family in England
The family name Hokes traces its roots back to early seventeenth-century England, with documented evidence placing members of the family in the historic city of York by 1620. During this period, York served as a major northern hub for trade and administration, suggesting that early ancestors were likely involved in the local merchant class or skilled crafts that defined the city’s economy. The name itself likely evolved as a topographic or occupational descriptor, common for families living near specific landmarks or practicing particular trades in the medieval and early modern periods. As the family established itself in the region, they became part of the social fabric of Yorkshire, navigating the shifting political and religious landscapes of the Stuart era. This early presence in such a prominent urban center indicates that the Hokes family was well-integrated into the local community long before the waves of migration that would eventually spread the name across the globe.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Hoke
A Middle English term referring to a hook or a curved object.
This name
HokesA topographic name for someone who lived near a curved piece of land or a river bend.
also spelled
Hockes
Hooke
Related arms
Hookevariant spelling
Documented Sources
Sir Bernard Burke, The General Armory of England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales, London: Harrison & Sons, 1884
Baines, Edward, History, Directory, and Gazetteer of the County of York, 1822
The National Archives, Parish registers of York St Martin-le-Grand, 1620
York City Archives, Freemen of the City of York, 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
fleur de lisPurity, light, and the sixth son
fessThe military belt, and readiness to serve
fleur de lisPurity, light, and the sixth son
