Map of England showing where the Picken arms are recorded
The Picken arms were recorded in Westmorland, c. 1620.
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 Picken 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 Westmorland.
Origin & History of the Picken Family in England
The surname Picken is primarily associated with the northern regions of England, specifically the historic county of Westmorland. By the early seventeenth century, records confirm that families bearing this name were well-established in the area, likely living as farmers or tradespeople in the rugged landscape of the Lake District. The name itself is thought to be a diminutive form of the name Peter, evolving from the nickname Pick or Picken as a way to distinguish individuals within a local community. During the 1620s, these families would have been part of a close-knit society shaped by the difficult terrain and the traditional agricultural practices of the north. As they moved through the generations, the Picken family became a steady part of the local population, contributing to the social and economic fabric of Westmorland long before the industrial changes of later centuries.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Peter
Derived from the Greek word petros meaning a stone or rock.
This name
PickenA patronymic surname meaning son of little Peter or son of Pick.
also spelled
Pycke
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
saltireResolution, and St Andrew's cross
mulletThe third son, and a divine quality from above
saltireResolution, and St Andrew's cross
mulletThe third son, and a divine quality from above
