Map of England showing where the Pickus arms are recorded
The Pickus arms were recorded in England, c. 1620.
Arms such as these were typically recorded in York.
Yorkshire is the largest of the English counties, and it held more gentry families than any other. Land there was split among a great many households rather than a few, so a great many of them carried 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 Pickus 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 England.
Origin & History of the Pickus Family in England
The surname Pickus carries a long history rooted in the northern English city of York. Records confirm that members of the family were established residents in this area as early as 1620. During the seventeenth century, York was a bustling center of trade and religious life, and families like the Pickus line were often involved in the local craft guilds or merchant networks that defined the city economy. The name itself likely evolved from regional dialects or occupational descriptions common to the Yorkshire area during the late Middle Ages. As the family grew, they became part of the social fabric of the region, living through the significant political and social shifts that defined life in northern England during the Stuart period. By maintaining a presence in York for centuries, the family helped contribute to the enduring cultural identity of one of England’s oldest cities.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Pik
A Middle English term referring to a pointed tool or spike.
This name
PickusA nickname for a person who used a pike or worked as a laborer.
also spelled
Pickes
Pickasse
Documented Sources
Sir Bernard Burke, The General Armory of England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales, London: Harrison & Sons, 1884
Baines, Edward, History, Directory and Gazetteer of the County of York, 1822
North Yorkshire County Record Office, York City Archives: Freemen of the City of York, 1600–1650
Palliser, David M., Tudor York, 1979
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
lionCourage, strength and royalty
lanceKnightly service and the tilt
chevronProtection, and faithful service completed
lionCourage, strength and royalty
lanceKnightly service and the tilt
