Map of England showing where the Swingle arms are recorded
The Swingle 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 Swingle 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 Swingle Family in England
The surname Swingle is believed to have Germanic roots, likely evolving from the Middle High German word "swingen," which refers to the act of swinging or oscillating. This term was often used as a descriptive nickname for someone who was particularly active or perhaps worked with a flail during the harvest. By the early 17th century, the family had established a presence in England, with records confirming members of the Swingle family were living in York by 1620. During this period, families often moved across borders due to shifting economic conditions and religious changes in Europe. As these individuals settled in new regions, the spelling of their name often shifted to match the local pronunciation, eventually stabilizing into the form recognized today.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
swingel
An Old English term for a wooden instrument used to beat flax.
This name
SwingleAn occupational name for a person who processed flax or hemp by beating it.
also spelled
Skingel
Skingell
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, 1997
York Minster Archives, Parish Register of St. Michael le Belfrey, York, 1620
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fessThe military belt, and readiness to serve
chequyConstancy, and the counting-board
escallopThe pilgrim's shell, and a long journey made
trefoilPerpetuity, and the Trinity
fessThe military belt, and readiness to serve
chequyConstancy, and the counting-board
escallopThe pilgrim's shell, and a long journey made
trefoilPerpetuity, and the Trinity
