Map of England showing where the Purkis arms are recorded
The Purkis 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 Purkis 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 Purkis Family in England
The surname Purkis is rooted in the medieval period of England and is classified as a locative or occupational name that evolved alongside local dialects. By the early 17th century, the family had established a notable presence in the historic city of York, as evidenced by records from 1620. During this era, York served as a major center for trade and religious administration, which likely provided the family with opportunities to integrate into the urban economy. The name itself is thought to be a variation of older English terms related to specific trades or geographical markers, though its exact meaning shifted as families moved across different regions. Members of the Purkis family in York would have lived through a time of significant social change, contributing to the local community as the city transitioned through the challenges of the early Stuart period.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Purcas
An Old French nickname meaning to purchase or acquire.
This name
PurkisA locative or occupational surname derived from a nickname for a merchant or buyer.
also spelled
Purkes
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
Borthwick Institute for Archives, York Diocesan Records: Parish Registers of York, 1620
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