Map of England showing where the Kitchens arms are recorded
The Kitchens 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 Kitchens 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 Kitchens Family in England
The surname Kitchens is a patronymic or occupational name that originated in medieval England, likely derived from the Middle English word *kichene*. It was often used to identify individuals who worked in the kitchens of large estates or monasteries, or it may have served as a nickname for someone who lived near a communal cooking area. By the early 17th century, the family was well-established in the historic city of York. Records confirm that members of the Kitchens family were present in this region by 1620, a time when York served as a major center for trade and religious life in Northern England. As the family grew, they became part of the local social fabric, contributing to the development of the city through their various trades and community roles. Over time, the spelling of the name stabilized, reflecting the linguistic shifts common in Northern English dialects during the transition into the modern era.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
cycene
Old English term for a cooking area or kitchen.
This name
KitchensOccupational surname for someone who worked in or managed a kitchen.
also spelled
Kytchen
Kytchyn
Kitchin
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, Percy Hide, A Dictionary of British Surnames, 1958
Borthwick Institute for Archives, York Diocesan Probate Records, 1620
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