Map of England showing where the Pitkin arms are recorded
The Pitkin arms were recorded in Cambridge, c. 1517.
Cambridgeshire was flat, rich farming country with the university at its centre. Fen drainage made new land and new fortunes, and families who gained by it bought manors and took arms to match.
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.
Henry VIII of England
Sovereign of the period
Henry VIII of England
1509–1547
Reigning in England when the Pitkin 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 Cambridge.
Origin & History of the Pitkin Family in England
The Pitkin family name is rooted in the English landscape, with early records confirming their presence in Cambridge by 1517. The name is generally considered to be a locative surname, which means it likely originated from a specific place name that has since faded from common use or shifted in spelling over the centuries. During the sixteenth century, members of the family were established as respected members of the local community in Cambridgeshire. As the family grew, they became known for their involvement in trade and local administration, which helped them build a stable reputation in the region. Over time, the name spread from these early roots in the east of England, eventually becoming part of the broader migration patterns that saw members of the family move toward London and later across the Atlantic to the American colonies.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Pite
A medieval pet form of the name Peter meaning rock or stone.
This name
PitkinA diminutive form indicating the son or kin of a person named Peter.
also spelled
Potkyn
Potkyne
Documented Sources
Sir Bernard Burke, The General Armory of England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales, London: Harrison & Sons, 1884
Reaney, P.H., A Dictionary of British Surnames, 1958
Cottle, Basil, The Penguin Dictionary of Surnames, 1967
The National Archives, Early Chancery Proceedings, C 1/450/45, 1517
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
fessThe military belt, and readiness to serve
greyhoundCourage, vigilance and loyalty
lozengeHonour and nobility, and the arms of a woman
fessThe military belt, and readiness to serve
greyhoundCourage, vigilance and loyalty
lozengeHonour and nobility, and the arms of a woman
