Map of England showing where the Judkins arms are recorded
The Judkins arms were recorded in Northampton, c. 1620.
Northamptonshire was grazing and hunting country in the middle of England, thick with manor houses. Its families were numerous and long-settled, and a settled landed family almost always ended up with 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 Judkins 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 Northampton.
Origin & History of the Judkins Family in England
The Judkins family name is rooted in the English Midlands, with historical records confirming that members of the family were well-established in Northampton by the year 1620. The name itself is a patronymic, which means it was derived from the given name of a father or ancestor. It is widely considered to be a diminutive form of the name Jude, likely evolving from the Middle English nickname Judkin. During the early seventeenth century, families in Northampton were often involved in the thriving local wool and leather trades, which provided the economic stability necessary for these early ancestors to maintain their households. As the family grew, they became part of the broader social fabric of the region, eventually participating in the waves of migration that saw many Northamptonshire residents travel to the American colonies in search of new opportunities.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Judd
A medieval pet form of the Hebrew name Jordan.
This name
JudkinsA patronymic surname meaning son of Judd, derived from the diminutive of Jordan.
also spelled
Judson
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
Northamptonshire Archives, Parish Register Transcripts for Northampton All Saints, 1620
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
mulletThe third son, and a divine quality from above
mulletThe third son, and a divine quality from above
