Map of England showing where the Peckham arms are recorded
The Peckham arms were recorded in Norfolk, c. 1620.
Norfolk grew rich on wool and grain, and its wealth was spread among many middling families rather than a few great ones. Households of that kind bought land and took arms, and the county holds a large share of English names.
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 Peckham 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 Norfolk.
Origin & History of the Peckham Family in England
The family name Peckham originates from the Old English language, specifically deriving from the words "peac" and "ham," which together translate to a homestead or village located on a peak or hill. By the early 17th century, the family had established a notable presence in the county of Norfolk, England. During this period, the region was a bustling center of trade and agriculture, and families like the Peckhams were often deeply integrated into the local parish life and rural economy. As the year 1620 approached, many individuals from this area were part of the broader social shifts that defined East Anglia, reflecting a history rooted in the distinct geography and community structures of the English countryside. This connection to the land and the specific naming conventions of the time highlight how the family identity was tied to the physical landscape of their ancestral home.
Peckham Meaning & Related Branches
Root word
Peccam
Old English for a homestead or village belonging to Pecca.
This name
PeckhamRefers to a settlement or enclosure associated with a person named Pecca.
also spelled
Peckam
Pecham
Related arms
Denversame arms
Writingtonsame arms
Pechamvariant spelling
Peckamvariant spelling
Documented Sources
Sir Bernard Burke, The General Armory of England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales, London: Harrison & Sons, 1884
Ekwall, Eilert. The Concise Oxford Dictionary of English Place-names. 1960
Reaney, P.H. and Wilson, R.M. A Dictionary of English Surnames. 1991
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
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