Map of England showing where the Luke arms are recorded
The Luke arms were recorded in Bedford, c. 1620.
Bedfordshire was small, flat farming country close to London. Its manors were held by middling families rather than great ones, but a manor was a manor, and holding one brought 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 Luke 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 Bedford.
Origin & History of the Luke Family in England
The surname Luke originates from the medieval personal name Lucas, which was a popular Latinized form of the Greek name Loukas, meaning a person from Lucania in southern Italy. By the time the name became established in England, it was closely associated with the biblical Saint Luke the Evangelist, which helped it gain popularity as a given name before eventually transitioning into a hereditary surname. In the early seventeenth century, the family established a notable presence in Bedford, where they became influential figures in local governance and land ownership. Records from this era show that members of the Luke family were active in the political and social life of the region, often serving in administrative roles that helped shape the development of the town. This transition from a common personal name to a recognized family name reflects the broader patterns of English naming conventions during the Middle Ages and the Renaissance.
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
bendDefence, and the scarf of a commander
chiefAuthority, wisdom and dominion
saltireResolution, and St Andrew's cross
hunting horn stringedOne who delights in the chase
buckleFidelity, and a bond firmly held
bellA call to prayer, and a warning given
mulletThe third son, and a divine quality from above
Colours
Silver (Argent)Means: Peace and sincerity
Blue (Azure)Means: Loyalty and truth
Black (Sable)Means: Constancy
Red (Gules)Means: Military strength
Gold (Or)Means: Generosity
Historical info
Source
Sir Bernard Burke, The General Armory of England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales, London: Harrison & Sons, 1884
Blazon (the actual original written record)
“Ar. on a bend az. surmounted by a buglehorn sa. three buckles or, on a chief paly of three of the first and second, in the centre as many bells of the fourth, on the dexter and sinister a saltire engr. of the third betw. four mullets gu”
ScotlandGlasgow, c. 1749
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Map of Scotland showing where the Luke arms are recorded
The Luke arms were recorded in Glasgow, c. 1749.
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 Scotland in this period.
George II of Great Britain
Sovereign of the period
George II of Great Britain
1727–1760
Reigning in England when the Luke arms are first recorded.
How Arms Worked in Scotland
Scottish heraldry is unique because it treats a coat of arms as a piece of personal property protected by law. Only one person can own a specific design at any given time. When a family grows, the head keeps the original shield while other relatives must apply for their own distinct version with slight changes to prove their specific identity.
Granting authority
The Court of the Lord Lyon acts as the official body that regulates and controls all heraldic matters throughout Scotland.
How they got arms
Individuals obtain a legal right to their arms through a formal petition process that confirms their identity and family connection.
Where arms were recorded
All valid coats of arms are officially entered into the Public Register of All Arms and Bearings starting from 1672.
The family's standing
Recorded among the armigerous families of Scotland.
Origin & History of the Luke Family in Scotland
The family name Luke has deep roots in the Scottish Lowlands, particularly within the bustling merchant environment of Glasgow. By the middle of the eighteenth century, the family was well-established in the city, with records confirming their presence there by 1749. During this era, Glasgow was rapidly transforming into a major hub for international trade, and families like the Lukes often played active roles in the local economy and civic life. The name itself is derived from the Latin name Lucas, which means light or bringer of light. It likely entered Scotland through religious influence, as the name was frequently given in honor of Saint Luke the Evangelist. As the family grew in Glasgow, they became part of the city’s evolving social fabric, contributing to the professional and commercial growth that defined the region during the Scottish Enlightenment.
Luke Meaning & Related Branches
Root word
Lucas
Latin name derived from the Greek word for light or luminous.
This name
LukeA name of Latin origin meaning one who brings light or illumination.
also spelled
Looke
Luyk
Related arms
Cromptonrecorded with Luke, same area
Thorntonrecorded with Luke, same area
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. and Wilson, R.M., A Dictionary of English Surnames, 1991
hunting horn stringedOne who delights in the chase
hunting horn stringedOne who delights in the chase
bendDefence, and the scarf of a commander
chiefAuthority, wisdom and dominion
saltireResolution, and St Andrew's cross
buckleFidelity, and a bond firmly held
bellA call to prayer, and a warning given
mulletThe third son, and a divine quality from above
