Map of England showing where the Tonkin arms are recorded
The Tonkin arms were recorded in Devon, c. 1620.
Devon was a county of small manors and seafaring families. Its gentry were spread thickly across the countryside, and money made at sea often bought an estate, which in turn brought a coat 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 England in this period.
James VI and I
Sovereign of the period
James VI and I
1603–1625
Reigning in England when the Tonkin 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 Devon.
Origin & History of the Tonkin Family in England
The surname Tonkin originates from the southwestern region of England, specifically emerging as a diminutive form of the name Anthony. By the early seventeenth century, the family had established a firm presence in the county of Devon. During this period, the name was closely associated with the rugged landscape of the West Country, where families often worked in agriculture or local mining industries. The Tonkin name grew in prominence as individuals migrated throughout the coastal towns of Devon and neighboring Cornwall. These early ancestors were part of the foundational population that shaped the local culture and economy of the region long before the modern era. Their documented presence in 1620 reflects a long-standing history of residency in these rural English communities.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Anthony
Derived from the Latin Antonius, meaning highly praiseworthy or priceless.
This name
TonkinA Cornish patronymic surname meaning son of little Tony or son of Anthony.
also spelled
Tonkyn
Tonkyne
Related arms
Berryrecorded with Tonkin, same area
Johnrecorded with Tonkin, same area
Mandernerecorded with Tonkin, same area
Oxnamrecorded with Tonkin, same area
Documented Sources
Sir Bernard Burke, The General Armory of England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales, London: Harrison & Sons, 1884
Reaney, P.H., A Dictionary of English Surnames, 1991
Cornwall Record Office, Parish Registers of St Just in Penwith, 1600–1650
Devon Heritage Centre, Bishop’s Transcripts of Devon 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.
eagleNobility, strength and a keen mind
eagleNobility, strength and a keen mind
