Map of England showing where the Stokes arms are recorded
The Stokes arms were recorded in Cambridge, c. 1620.
Cambridgeshire was flat, rich farming country with the university at its centre. Fen drainage made new land and new fortunes, and families who gained by it bought manors and took arms to match.
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 Stokes 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 Cambridge.
Origin & History of the Stokes Family in England
The surname Stokes is a topographical name that originated in medieval England to describe people who lived near a stump, a tree trunk, or a small settlement. The word comes from the Old English term stoc, which often referred to a secondary place or a dairy farm. By the time the family was established in Cambridge in 1620, the name had already been in use for several centuries across various English counties. Families with this name were often connected to the land, working as farmers or tradespeople in the rural villages that dotted the landscape. As the family grew, members moved into growing academic and urban centers like Cambridge, where they became part of the local community life during the early seventeenth century. This transition reflects a broader trend of families moving from agricultural roots to the developing towns that defined English society during that era.
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
chevronProtection, and faithful service completed
Colours
Green (Vert)Means: Hope
Silver (Argent)Means: Peace and sincerity
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)
“Per bend vert and ar. a chev. counterchanged”
DublinDublin, c. 1645
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Map of Ireland showing where the Stokes arms are recorded
The Stokes arms were recorded in Dublin, c. 1645.
Dublin was the seat of government in Ireland and the place where grants were sought and recorded. Families with business at the castle or the courts settled nearby, and settling there put their arms on record.
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 Ireland in this period.
Charles I of England
Sovereign of the period
Charles I of England
1625–1649
Reigning in England when the Stokes arms are first recorded.
How Arms Worked in Ireland
The Ulster King of Arms granted coats of arms to individuals who proved their social standing and good character. These symbols were typically inherited by all legitimate descendants of the original holder. If a family branch wanted a unique look, they could apply for a specific change to their design through the office to ensure their identity remained distinct.
Granting authority
The Ulster King of Arms acted as the official body that regulated and issued all coats of arms throughout Ireland.
How they got arms
Families obtained their arms through formal grants issued by the office after proving their eligibility and paying the required fees.
Where arms were recorded
All official grants were recorded in the registers held by the Ulster King of Arms starting from the year 1552.
The family's standing
Recorded among the armigerous families of Dublin.
Origin & History of the Stokes Family in Ireland
The Stokes family name in Ireland is deeply connected to the shifting political landscape of the seventeenth century. While the name itself has roots in Old English, meaning a place made of wooden stakes or a settlement, members of the family were firmly established in Dublin by 1645. During this period, the city served as a primary hub for administrative and military activity under English influence. Families like the Stokes often arrived in Ireland during this era to take up roles in the civil service, the church, or the growing merchant class. As they settled into the urban environment of Dublin, they became part of the complex social fabric of a city experiencing significant upheaval. Over the following generations, the family integrated into Irish life, moving from their initial base in the capital to various parts of the country while maintaining their professional and civic contributions.
Stokes Meaning & Related Branches
Root word
stoc
Old English term for a tree trunk, log, or wooden post.
This name
StokesRefers to someone who lived near a tree stump or a wooden settlement.
also spelled
Stokey
Related arms
Stockersimilar arms
Stoakesvariant spelling
Stokeyvariant spelling
Documented Sources
Sir Bernard Burke, The General Armory of England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales, London: Harrison & Sons, 1884
Reaney, P.H., A Dictionary of British Surnames, 1958
Ekwall, Eilert, The Concise Oxford Dictionary of English Place-names, 1960
Cambridgeshire Archives, Cambridge St Andrew the Great Parish Registers, 1620
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
dolphinSwiftness, charity and love
bendDefence, and the scarf of a commander
dolphinSwiftness, charity and love
chevronProtection, and faithful service completed
