Map of England showing where the Torkington arms are recorded
The Torkington arms were recorded in Chester, c. 1620.
Cheshire was governed apart from the rest of England for much of its history, with its own courts and its own gentry. That separateness bred a strong local landed class, and landed families 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 Torkington 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 Chester.
Origin & History of the Torkington Family in England
The surname Torkington originates from a place name in Cheshire, England, specifically a township located near Stockport. The name itself likely comes from Old English roots, suggesting it once referred to a farmstead or estate belonging to a person named Tork. By the early seventeenth century, the family had established a notable presence in the historic city of Chester. Records from 1620 confirm that members of the Torkington family were active in this region, which was a major hub for trade and administration in the northwest of England. During this period, families with deep local roots often held roles in civic life or local commerce, helping to anchor the name within the social fabric of the county. Over time, the family name spread from these original Cheshire lands, but its identity remains firmly tied to the geography and history of this specific English county.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Torc-ing-tun
A settlement belonging to the people of the boar or hill.
This name
TorkingtonDerived from a place name in Cheshire meaning the farmstead of Torc's people.
also spelled
Torkynton
Torkyngton
Related arms
Wantonrecorded with Torkington, same area
Documented Sources
Sir Bernard Burke, The General Armory of England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales, London: Harrison & Sons, 1884
Dodgson, J. McN. The Place-Names of Cheshire. 1970
Cheshire Archives and Local Studies. Bishop’s Transcripts of Chester Diocese. 1620
Mills, A.D. A Dictionary of English Place-Names. 1991
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
fessThe military belt, and readiness to serve
lionCourage, strength and royalty
fessThe military belt, and readiness to serve
lionCourage, strength and royalty
