Map of England showing where the Knife arms are recorded
The Knife 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 Knife 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 Knife Family in England
The surname Knife is a descriptive occupational name that likely originated in medieval England to identify a person who made or sold knives. By the early 17th century, the family had established a notable presence in the historic city of York. Records from 1620 confirm that members of the Knife family were active residents in this northern hub during a time of significant social and economic transition. As skilled tradespeople or merchants, these early ancestors would have been integrated into the bustling guild culture that defined York at the time. The name itself reflects a direct connection to the metalworking crafts that were essential to daily life in the region. Over the centuries, the family name persisted as a marker of these ancestral roots in the heart of Yorkshire.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
cnif
Old English term for a cutting blade or small weapon.
This name
KnifeAn occupational name for a maker or user of knives.
also spelled
Knyfe
Knyff
Kniff
Knyffe
Related arms
Knyffesame arms
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 City Chamberlains' Account Rolls, 1620
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swordJustice, and military honour
swordJustice, and military honour
