Map of England showing where the Peek arms are recorded
The Peek arms were recorded in Devon, c. 1832.
Devon was a county of small manors and seafaring families. Its gentry were spread thickly across the countryside, and money made at sea often bought an estate, which in turn brought 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 England in this period.
William IV
Sovereign of the period
William IV
1830–1837
Reigning in England when the Peek 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 Devon.
Origin & History of the Peek Family in England
The surname Peek is primarily rooted in the southwestern region of England, with deep historical ties to the county of Devon. The name is considered a topographic surname, which means it was likely given to people who lived near a specific physical feature in the landscape. In Middle English, the word "peek" or "peke" referred to a pointed hill, a peak, or a sharp piece of land. Families living near such landmarks often adopted the name to distinguish themselves within their local communities. By the early 19th century, the Peek family was well-established in Devon, where they participated in the agricultural and mercantile life of the region. This connection to the land remained a defining characteristic of the family as they expanded their influence throughout the 1800s.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Pik
A pointed object or a sharp peak.
This name
PeekA topographical name for someone who lived near a pointed hill or a sharp peak.
also spelled
Peake
Peke
Related arms
Peakevariant spelling
Pekevariant spelling
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., A Dictionary of British Surnames, 1958
The National Archives, Kew, Census Returns of England and Wales, 1841, HO 107
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
wreathHonour, and a victory crowned
sickleThe harvest, and the reaping of what was sown
chevronProtection, and faithful service completed
wreathHonour, and a victory crowned
sickleThe harvest, and the reaping of what was sown
