Map of England showing where the Sedgwick arms are recorded
The Sedgwick arms were recorded in Lancaster, c. 1620.
Lancashire was divided among a great many small landed families, more than most northern counties. Estates were passed down whole rather than split up, so the same names hold the same ground for centuries in the records.
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 Sedgwick 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 Lancaster.
Origin & History of the Sedgwick Family in England
The surname Sedgwick is of English origin and is classified as a locational name. It likely describes a person who lived near a specific type of grassy clearing or a settlement located by a sedge-filled area. The name is derived from the Old English words for sedge, which is a type of coarse grass, and wick, which refers to a farm or a dairy site. By the early 17th century, the family had established a notable presence in the county of Lancashire. Records from 1620 confirm that members of the Sedgwick family were living in the Lancaster area during this time. This period was a significant era for families in northern England, as many individuals began to document their local roots and property holdings more formally. The name has remained tied to these northern English regions for centuries, reflecting a long history of agricultural and community life in the countryside.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
secg wic
Sedge plant and a dairy farm or settlement.
This name
SedgwickDerived from a place name referring to a settlement located near a sedge-covered area.
also spelled
Sedgwick
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
Ekwall, Eilert, The Concise Oxford Dictionary of English Place-Names, 1960
cross symbolChristian faith and service
bellA call to prayer, and a warning given
cross symbolChristian faith and service
bellA call to prayer, and a warning given
