Map of England showing where the Jack arms are recorded
The Jack 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 Jack 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 Jack Family in England
The surname Jack originated as a common nickname for the name John, which was one of the most popular given names in medieval England. During the Middle Ages, it was standard practice to turn a first name into a permanent family name as populations grew and record-keeping became more formal. By the time the family was documented in York in 1620, the name had already transitioned from a casual term of address into a stable hereditary surname. Living in a major northern hub like York suggests that early members of the family were likely involved in the city’s vibrant trade or craft guilds. These individuals were part of a growing urban middle class that relied on established surnames to conduct business and manage property in an increasingly organized society. Over time, the name spread from these northern roots to become a recognized part of the regional identity of Yorkshire.
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
chevronProtection, and faithful service completed
crescentHonour by the sovereign, and the second son
armA person of action, industrious and laborious
Colours
Silver (Argent)Means: Peace and sincerity
Black (Sable)Means: Constancy
Red (Gules)Means: Military strength
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)
“Ar. a chev. sa. betw. two crescents in chief gu. and in base an armed arm of the second, holding a sword ppr. hilt and pommel or”
Scotlandc. 1748
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Map of Scotland showing where the Jack arms are recorded
The Jack arms were recorded in Scotland, c. 1748.
Arms such as these were typically recorded in Edinburgh.
Edinburgh was the seat of Scotland's government, its courts and its heralds. Families with business there settled nearby, and being close to where arms were recorded is exactly why so many of them appear.
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 Scotland in this period.
George II of Great Britain
Sovereign of the period
George II of Great Britain
1727–1760
Reigning in England when the Jack arms are first recorded.
How Arms Worked in Scotland
Scottish heraldry is unique because it treats a coat of arms as a piece of personal property protected by law. Only one person can own a specific design at any given time. When a family grows, the head keeps the original shield while other relatives must apply for their own distinct version with slight changes to prove their specific identity.
Granting authority
The Court of the Lord Lyon acts as the official body that regulates and controls all heraldic matters throughout Scotland.
How they got arms
Individuals obtain a legal right to their arms through a formal petition process that confirms their identity and family connection.
Where arms were recorded
All valid coats of arms are officially entered into the Public Register of All Arms and Bearings starting from 1672.
The family's standing
Recorded among the armigerous families of Scotland.
Origin & History of the Jack Family in Scotland
The surname Jack has deep roots in Scotland, where it emerged as a patronymic name derived from the medieval nickname for John. By the middle of the eighteenth century, the family had established a notable presence in Edinburgh, a city that served as a major hub for trade and intellectual growth during the Scottish Enlightenment. Records from 1748 confirm that individuals bearing this name were active participants in the urban life of the capital, likely working as skilled tradesmen or merchants who helped shape the city’s expanding economy. Over time, the name spread from these urban centers into the surrounding regions, reflecting the broader patterns of migration and social mobility that defined Scottish life during the late 1700s. While the name began as a simple way to identify a person by their father, it eventually became a permanent family identifier that linked generations of Scots to their local communities and professional guilds.
Jack Meaning & Related Branches
Root word
Iohannes
God is gracious
This name
JackA diminutive form of John, historically used as a generic term for a common man.
also spelled
Jak
Jakes
Related arms
Jakesvariant spelling
Foulisrecorded with Jack, same area
Hamiltonrecorded with Jack, same area
Whitelawrecorded with Jack, same area
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
York City Archives, York Freemen’s Register, 1620
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
leafHappiness and abundance
acornAntiquity and strength from small beginnings
leafHappiness and abundance
acornAntiquity and strength from small beginnings
chevronProtection, and faithful service completed
crescentHonour by the sovereign, and the second son
armA person of action, industrious and laborious
