Map of England showing where the Shanks arms are recorded
The Shanks arms were recorded in Norfolk, c. 1562.
Norfolk grew rich on wool and grain, and its wealth was spread among many middling families rather than a few great ones. Households of that kind bought land and took arms, and the county holds a large share of English names.
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.
Elizabeth I of England
Sovereign of the period
Elizabeth I of England
1558–1603
Reigning in England when the Shanks 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 Norfolk.
Origin & History of the Shanks Family in England
The surname Shanks is classified as a topographic or descriptive name, likely originating from the Middle English word "schanke," which refers to the leg. In medieval times, this name was often given as a nickname to someone who had long legs or a distinctive way of walking. By the mid-16th century, the family had established a clear presence in the English county of Norfolk, as evidenced by parish records dating back to 1562. During this era, families often lived in small agricultural communities where their surname served as a way to distinguish them from neighbors with common first names. As the family grew, they became part of the local social fabric, contributing to the rural economy and community life of East Anglia. Over the following centuries, members of the family moved beyond Norfolk, carrying the name into different regions and eventually across the globe.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
sceanca
Old English word meaning leg or shank.
This name
ShanksA descriptive nickname for a person with long or thin legs.
also spelled
Shanks
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, 1991
Norfolk Record Office, Parish Register Transcripts for the Diocese of Norwich, 1562
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fessThe military belt, and readiness to serve
escallopThe pilgrim's shell, and a long journey made
fessThe military belt, and readiness to serve
escallopThe pilgrim's shell, and a long journey made
