Map of England showing where the Meskin arms are recorded
The Meskin arms were recorded in Worcester, c. 1620.
Worcestershire was orchard and farming country with a scattering of old manors. Its gentry were middling rather than great, but a manor was a manor, and holding one was what 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 Meskin 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 Worcester.
Origin & History of the Meskin Family in England
The history of the Meskin family name is deeply rooted in the landscape of seventeenth-century England, specifically within the city of Worcester. By the year 1620, family members were already established residents in this historic cathedral city, which served as a significant center for trade and regional governance. The name itself likely evolved as a descriptive term or a localized occupational identifier common to the West Midlands during the late medieval and early modern periods. As the family navigated life in Worcester, they were part of a growing urban population that witnessed the intense political and religious shifts of the early Stuart era. Their presence in the city records suggests they were integrated into the local community, contributing to the social and economic fabric of the region long before the name spread to other parts of the world.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Meskine
Old French term for a poor or wretched person.
This name
MeskinAn occupational or descriptive nickname for someone of humble status or limited financial means.
also spelled
Meaken
Meakyn
Documented Sources
Sir Bernard Burke, The General Armory of England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales, London: Harrison & Sons, 1884
Atkin, Malcolm, Worcestershire in the Civil War, 2004
Townshend, Henry, Diary of Henry Townshend of Elmley Lovett, 1640-1663, 1920
Worcestershire Archive and Archaeology Service, Worcester City Records: Quarter Sessions and Parish Registers, 1600–1650
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
starThe celestial goddess, and nobility
wheatsheafPlenty, and the harvest of one's own labour
chevronProtection, and faithful service completed
starThe celestial goddess, and nobility
wheatsheafPlenty, and the harvest of one's own labour
