Map of England showing where the Saker arms are recorded
The Saker arms were recorded in Kent, c. 1615.
Kent sits between London and the short crossing to Europe, and the trade passing through made it wealthy. Merchant families bought land with that money, and it was landowners who took coats of 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 Saker 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 Kent.
Origin & History of the Saker Family in England
The surname Saker has deep roots in the English county of Kent, where records confirm the family was well-established by the early seventeenth century. The name is believed to be occupational in origin, likely derived from the Middle English word "saker," which referred to a type of falcon or a specific piece of light artillery used during that era. Families bearing this name were often integrated into the local agrarian and maritime communities of the Kentish landscape. By 1615, members of the Saker family were active participants in the social and economic life of the region, contributing to the local parish records and community development. As the name spread from its Kentish origins, it remained tied to the history of southeastern England, reflecting the linguistic shifts and trade practices common to the coastal towns of the period.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Saccarius
A Latin term referring to a person who carries sacks or bags.
This name
SakerAn occupational surname for a maker or seller of sacks or a professional bag carrier.
also spelled
Sacker
Sackere
Related arms
Castelockrecorded with Saker, same area
Castlelockrecorded with Saker, same area
Greenstreetrecorded with Saker, same area
Philpotrecorded with Saker, same area
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
Kent Archives, Archdeaconry of Canterbury Wills and Administrations, 1615
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
bendDefence, and the scarf of a commander
bullValour and generosity
bendDefence, and the scarf of a commander
bullValour and generosity
