Map of Britain showing where the Skiffington arms are recorded
The Skiffington arms were recorded in Britain, c. 1700.
Arms such as these were typically recorded in Kent.
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 Britain in this period.
William III of England
Sovereign of the period
William III of England
1694–1702
Reigning in Britain when the Skiffington arms are first recorded.
How Arms Worked in Britain
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 Britain.
Origin & History of the Skiffington Family in Britain
The surname Skiffington is rooted in the landscape of medieval England, originating as a locational name derived from the village of Skeffington in Leicestershire. The name itself combines an Old Norse personal name with the Old English suffix for a settlement, suggesting that the family’s ancestors were likely established in the East Midlands during the period of Viking influence. By the turn of the 18th century, members of the family had migrated south, with documented records confirming their presence in the county of Kent by 1700. This movement reflects the broader patterns of internal migration during the early modern period, as families traveled toward the growing economic centers of the south. Over time, the spelling of the name evolved from its original form to the version recognized today, marking the transition of a regional identity into a broader English lineage.
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
bordureA difference between branches of one family
roundelA coin, and one who has been to the crusades
Colours
Gold (Or)Means: Generosity
Red (Gules)Means: Military strength
Black (Sable)Means: Constancy
Historical info
Source
Sir Bernard Burke, The General Armory of England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales, London: Harrison & Sons, 1884
Blazon (the actual original written record)
“Henry VIII. Visit. Leicester, 1619). Quarterly, or and gu. a border sa. bezantée”
Englandc. 1619
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
Map of England showing where the Skiffington arms are recorded
The Skiffington arms were recorded in England, c. 1619.
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 Britain when the Skiffington 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 Skiffington Family in England
The Skiffington family name traces its roots back to the northern regions of England, with significant historical evidence placing members of the family in the city of York by 1619. During this period, York served as a vital hub for trade and administration, suggesting that early Skiffingtons were likely involved in the urban economy or local governance of the city. The name itself is thought to be locational in origin, typically derived from the village of Skeffington in Leicestershire. Over several generations, families often migrated from their original ancestral villages to larger centers like York to pursue new professional opportunities. By the early 17th century, the presence of the family in such a prominent northern city indicates they were well-established and integrated into the social fabric of the time. This transition from rural origins to city life reflects the broader movement of English families during the late Renaissance as they sought to improve their status and livelihoods.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Skeffington
A settlement belonging to a man named Sceaft.
This name
SkiffingtonDerived from a Leicestershire place name meaning the farmstead or village of Sceaft's people.
also spelled
Skeffingtone
Skeffing
Skeffingtonn
Skevington
Skeffinton
Documented Sources
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Reaney, P.H., A Dictionary of English Surnames, 1958
Ekwall, Eilert, The Concise Oxford Dictionary of English Place-Names, 1960
The National Archives, Probate Records of the Prerogative Court of Canterbury, 1700
Kent History and Library Centre, Parish Registers of Kent, 1700
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
bullValour and generosity
bullValour and generosity
bordureA difference between branches of one family
roundelA coin, and one who has been to the crusades
