A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Peck family lines. Documented in 3 countries.
Reg. 9073 · German, P–S
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
lionCourage, strength and royalty
Colours
Black (Sable)Means: Constancy
Silver (Argent)Means: Peace and sincerity
Gold (Or)Means: Generosity
Red (Gules)Means: Military strength
Historical info
Source
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Blazon (the actual original written record)
“Tranché: au 1 de sa. au lion d'or, cour. du même; au 2 losangé d'arg. et de gu. Cq. cour. C.: le lion iss. entre deux prob. coupées, à dextre de gu. sur arg., à sen. de gu. sur or. L. conformes aux émaux des prob.”
Germanyc. 1765
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Map of Germany showing where the Peck arms are recorded
The Peck arms were recorded in Germany, c. 1765.
Arms such as these were typically recorded in Bavaria.
Bavaria was a country of old landed families and walled market towns. Estates passed down the same line for centuries, and both the landowners and the leading townsmen kept arms, which is why so many Bavarian names sit in the registers.
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 Germany in this period.
Francis I, Holy Roman Emperor
Sovereign of the period
Francis I, Holy Roman Emperor
1745–1765
Reigning in Germany when the Peck arms are first recorded.
How Arms Worked in Germany
In the Holy Roman Empire, coats of arms were often granted to individuals by the Emperor or his representatives. These arms were then passed down through the generations to all legitimate descendants of the original holder. Younger branches of a family usually kept the same shield design without needing to change it, as the arms belonged to the entire lineage.
Granting authority
The Holy Roman Emperor held the sole power to grant new coats of arms throughout his vast imperial territories.
How they got arms
Families typically obtained their coats of arms through a formal imperial grant or by proving their noble status to the authorities.
Where arms were recorded
These grants were officially recorded in the Imperial Chancery registers, which began keeping formal records of such honors during the Middle Ages.
The family's standing
Recorded among the armigerous families of Germany.
Origin & History of the Peck Family in Germany
The family name Peck, often appearing in German records as Beck or Pech, traces its roots to the occupational roles held by ancestors in the Holy Roman Empire. In the region of Bavaria, where the family was firmly established by 1765, the name typically identified a person who worked as a baker. During this period, surnames were becoming increasingly fixed as local governments sought to track citizens for tax and military purposes. Families living in Bavarian villages often centered their lives around the local parish, where church clerks meticulously recorded births, marriages, and deaths in registers. These early ancestors were likely part of the hardworking agrarian and artisan class that sustained the local economy of southern Germany. As the family grew, they moved through the changing political landscape of the eighteenth century, carrying their name as a reflection of their trade and their deep connection to the Bavarian landscape.
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
chevronProtection, and faithful service completed
cross symbolChristian faith and service
Colours
Gold (Or)Means: Generosity
Red (Gules)Means: Military strength
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)
“Or, on a chev. gu. three crosses formée of the field”
EssexSamford Hill · Essex, c. 1620
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Map of England showing where the Peck arms are recorded
The Peck arms were recorded in Essex, c. 1620.
Essex lay close enough to London for City money to buy land there. Merchants who prospered moved out to estates within a day's ride, and a new landowner almost always wanted arms to go with the ground.
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 Germany when the Peck 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 Essex.
Origin & History of the Peck Family in England
The surname Peck traces its roots to medieval England, where it likely functioned as a descriptive nickname for a person of small stature or perhaps someone who possessed a sharp, bird-like quality. By the early seventeenth century, the family had established a notable presence in the county of Essex, a region known for its strong agricultural traditions and proximity to the bustling trade routes of London. Records from 1620 confirm that members of the Peck family were active participants in the social and economic life of this area during a period of great transition. As the family navigated the challenges of life in rural England, they contributed to the local community through farming and trade. This historical foundation in Essex serves as a vital link to the family's English origins, reflecting a time when surnames were slowly becoming permanent identifiers passed down through generations.
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
chevronProtection, and faithful service completed
cross symbolChristian faith and service
chiefAuthority, wisdom and dominion
buckleFidelity, and a bond firmly held
Colours
Silver (Argent)Means: Peace and sincerity
Red (Gules)Means: Military strength
Gold (Or)Means: Generosity
Blue (Azure)Means: Loyalty and truth
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)
“Quarterly, 1st and 4th, ar. on a chev. engr. gu. three crosses formée of the field, for PECK; 2nd and 3rd, gu. a cross flory or, on a chief az. three round buckles of the second, for HASELDEN”
DenbighCornish Hall · Denbigh, c. 1647
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Map of Wales showing where the Peck arms are recorded
The Peck arms were recorded in Denbigh, c. 1647.
Denbighshire was north Welsh country of hills and small estates. Land was held by a great many families rather than a few, and each holding brought its own claim to a coat of 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 Wales in this period.
Charles I of England
Sovereign of the period
Charles I of England
1625–1649
Reigning in Germany when the Peck arms are first recorded.
How Arms Worked in Wales
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 Denbigh.
Origin & History of the Peck Family in Wales
The history of the Peck family in Wales is deeply rooted in the social and political shifts of the seventeenth century. While the name itself has English origins, records confirm that members of the family were firmly established in the town of Denbigh by 1647. During this period, Denbigh served as a significant administrative and military center, often caught in the turmoil of the English Civil War. Families like the Pecks who settled in this region were frequently involved in the local governance and trade networks that defined Welsh market towns. By embedding themselves in Denbigh, these early ancestors transitioned from being newcomers to becoming part of the local fabric, navigating the complex religious and political transitions that reshaped Welsh society during the mid-1600s. Their presence in such a strategic location suggests they were active participants in the economic life of the area, helping to bridge the cultural connections between the borderlands and the heart of North Wales.
Peck Meaning & Related Branches
Root word
Pech
A German term referring to pitch or resin derived from pine trees.
This name
PeckAn occupational surname for a person who worked with pitch or resin.
also spelled
Pek
Peke
Related arms
Patesame arms
Pekevariant spelling
Grimmrecorded with Peck, same area
Lindermanrecorded with Peck, same area
Documented Sources
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
lionCourage, strength and royalty
lionCourage, strength and royalty
chevronProtection, and faithful service completed
cross symbolChristian faith and service
chiefAuthority, wisdom and dominion
buckleFidelity, and a bond firmly held
