Map of England showing where the Kinge arms are recorded
The Kinge arms were recorded in London, c. 1591.
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.
Elizabeth I of England
Sovereign of the period
Elizabeth I of England
1558–1603
Reigning in England when the Kinge 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 Kinge Family in England
The surname Kinge is a variant of the more common name King, which originated in medieval England as a descriptive nickname. During the Middle Ages, people often received surnames based on their physical appearance, personality, or social role. A person might have been given this name because they played the part of a king in a local village play or pageant. By the time the name appears in London records in 1591, it had become a hereditary family name passed down through generations. Families living in London during the late sixteenth century were often part of a rapidly growing urban population that included merchants, tradespeople, and skilled laborers. These early members of the Kinge family likely navigated the bustling streets of a city that was becoming a major global center for trade and culture during the reign of Queen Elizabeth I.
Kinge Meaning & Related Branches
Root word
Cyning
Old English term for a tribal leader or monarch.
This name
KingeA status-based surname denoting someone who served in the king's household or acted in a kingly manner.
also spelled
Kynge
Kyng
Related arms
Athaelrecorded with Kinge, same area
Chafyrecorded with Kinge, same area
Chamberlaynerecorded with Kinge, same area
Duttonrecorded with Kinge, same area
Documented Sources
Sir Bernard Burke, The General Armory of England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales, London: Harrison & Sons, 1884
Reaney, P.H., A Dictionary of English Surnames, 1991
London Metropolitan Archives, St. Dunstan in the East Parish Registers, P69/DUN/A/001/MS07857
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
chevronProtection, and faithful service completed
escallopThe pilgrim's shell, and a long journey made
chevronProtection, and faithful service completed
escallopThe pilgrim's shell, and a long journey made
