Map of England showing where the Knipple arms are recorded
The Knipple 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 Knipple 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 Knipple Family in England
The surname Knipple is believed to have roots in the Germanic regions of Europe before migrating to England. By the year 1620, records confirm that members of the Knipple family were already established in the historic city of York. During this period, York was a bustling center of trade and religious life, and families like the Knipples were often integrated into the local merchant or artisan classes. The name itself likely evolved from older regional dialects, possibly relating to a specific occupation or a descriptive nickname used to identify an individual within their community. As these early settlers lived through the social shifts of the seventeenth century, they helped weave the family name into the fabric of Northern English history.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Knüppel
A Middle High German term for a cudgel or wooden club.
This name
KnippleAn occupational name for a maker of clubs or a nickname for a stout person.
also spelled
Knipple
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
York City Archives, York City Chamberlains' Accounts, 1620
Reaney, P.H., A Dictionary of British Surnames, 1958
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
