Map of England showing where the Plankey arms are recorded
The Plankey 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 Plankey 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 Plankey Family in England
The family name Plankey is rooted in the historical landscape of Northern England, specifically within the city of York. By the year 1620, records confirm that members of the family were already established residents in this region. The name likely originated as a descriptive term or a locational identifier, which was a common practice for surnames during the seventeenth century. As York was a major center for trade and administration at the time, families living there were often connected to the local merchant guilds or the skilled labor sectors that supported the city. While the name has evolved in spelling over the centuries, its presence in York suggests that the early ancestors were part of a stable community that navigated the significant social and political changes of the Stuart period.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Planche
Old French term for a wooden plank or bridge.
This name
PlankeyAn occupational surname for a person who lived near a wooden bridge or plank.
also spelled
Plancke
Planc
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
York City Archives. York City House Books. 1620
York Minster Library. Parish Registers of York. 1620
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fessThe military belt, and readiness to serve
bellA call to prayer, and a warning given
fessThe military belt, and readiness to serve
bellA call to prayer, and a warning given
