Map of England showing where the Simpkin arms are recorded
The Simpkin 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 Simpkin 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 Simpkin Family in England
The surname Simpkin originated as a diminutive form of the name Simon, evolving from the Middle English nickname Simkin. During the medieval period, it was common for people to add suffixes like "kin" to a father's name to identify a son or a younger member of the family. By the time the family was established in York in 1620, the name had become a fixed hereditary surname passed down through generations. Families living in York during this era were often involved in the city’s thriving trade guilds or agricultural life, as the region served as a major hub for commerce in Northern England. As the name spread from its origins as a personal nickname, it became a marker of local identity for those living within the historic walls of the city.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Simon
Derived from the Hebrew name Shim'on meaning he has heard.
This name
SimpkinA diminutive form of Simon, meaning little son of Simon.
also spelled
Sympkin
Simpkinson
Sympkinson
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
Bardsley, Charles Wareing, A Dictionary of English and Welsh Surnames, 1901
Borthwick Institute for Archives, York Diocesan Probate Records, 1620
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bendDefence, and the scarf of a commander
dolphinSwiftness, charity and love
bendDefence, and the scarf of a commander
dolphinSwiftness, charity and love
