A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Pocock family of England.
Reg. 2258 · English, P–S
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
chequyConstancy, and the counting-board
chiefAuthority, wisdom and dominion
horseReadiness to serve king and country
lionCourage, strength and royalty
crownSovereignty, authority and just reward
Colours
Silver (Argent)Means: Peace and sincerity
Blue (Azure)Means: Loyalty and truth
Gold (Or)Means: Generosity
Red (Gules)Means: Military strength
Historical info
Source
Sir Bernard Burke, The General Armory of England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales, London: Harrison & Sons, 1884
Blazon (the actual original written record)
“Chequy ar. and gu. a lion ramp. guard. or, and for honourable augmentation, a chief wavy az. thereon a sea horse ppr. betw. two Eastern crowns or, and above, the word "Havannah," in letters of gold”
DurhamHart · Durham, c. 1821
Where the Pocock Arms Were Recorded
Durham
Map of England showing where the Pocock arms are recorded
The Pocock arms were recorded in Durham, c. 1821.
Durham was governed by its bishop rather than the crown for most of its history, with its own courts and its own landed class. That separate world produced a tight group of families, nearly all of whom held 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.
George IV of the United Kingdom
Sovereign of the period
George IV of the United Kingdom
1820–1830
Reigning in England when the Pocock 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 Durham.
Origin & History of the Pocock Family in England
The surname Pocock is believed to have originated in England as a descriptive nickname during the Middle Ages. Etymologists often link the name to the Middle English word padecok, which translates to a young peacock or a small toad. It was common in medieval times for people to be given nicknames based on their personality or physical appearance, and these names eventually became permanent family identifiers. By the time the family was firmly established in Durham in 1821, the name had been in use for several centuries across various English counties. Families bearing this name were often involved in local trades and agricultural life, gradually moving into urban centers as the Industrial Revolution changed the landscape of northern England. This transition allowed the family to integrate into the growing communities of the nineteenth century while maintaining a history that stretched back to the early roots of English naming traditions.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Poc
A Middle English term referring to a small bag or pouch.
This name
PocockA nickname for a person who carried a pouch or a small purse.
also spelled
Pocok
Pocokke
Documented Sources
Sir Bernard Burke, The General Armory of England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales, London: Harrison & Sons, 1884
Reaney, P.H. and Wilson, R.M., A Dictionary of English Surnames, 1997
Hanks, Patrick, Dictionary of American Family Names, 2003
Durham County Record Office, Durham Bishop's Transcripts, 1821
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
chequyConstancy, and the counting-board
chiefAuthority, wisdom and dominion
horseReadiness to serve king and country
lionCourage, strength and royalty
crownSovereignty, authority and just reward
chequyConstancy, and the counting-board
chiefAuthority, wisdom and dominion
horseReadiness to serve king and country
lionCourage, strength and royalty
crownSovereignty, authority and just reward
