Map of England showing where the Stokoe arms are recorded
The Stokoe 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 Stokoe 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 Stokoe Family in England
The surname Stokoe is deeply rooted in the northern regions of England, particularly within the borderlands near the Scottish frontier. The name is thought to be topographical in origin, likely derived from the Old English words for a tree trunk or a wooden structure near a stream. By the early 17th century, members of the family had established a presence in the city of York, as evidenced by records dating back to 1620. During this period, families with this name were often involved in local trade and agriculture, moving from the rugged northern countryside into the growing urban centers of the north. As they settled in cities like York, they became part of the emerging middle class, contributing to the local economy and civic life of the region during the Stuart era.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Stok
Old English term for a tree trunk or a wooden post.
This name
StokoeA dweller by a tree stump or a person living near a wooden settlement.
also spelled
Stokoe
Stockowe
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
York City Archives, York City Chamberlains' Account Rolls, 1620
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
water bougetThe crusader's water carrier, and a journey made
crescentHonour by the sovereign, and the second son
water bougetThe crusader's water carrier, and a journey made
crescentHonour by the sovereign, and the second son
