Map of England showing where the Vickery arms are recorded
The Vickery 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 Vickery 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 Vickery Family in England
The surname Vickery is believed to have originated as a descriptive name rooted in the Old French word *vicaire*, which refers to a deputy or a representative of a church official. By the time the name appeared in records in York in 1620, families carrying this surname were often established as tradespeople or members of the local community. During the seventeenth century, the spelling of surnames was not standardized, so the name frequently appeared in documents as Vickery, Vickary, or Vicary. These early families were part of a period of significant social change in England, where individuals often moved toward urban centers like York to find work in growing industries. As these families settled, they helped shape the local history of the region through their involvement in parish life and the local economy.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Vicarius
Latin term meaning a substitute, deputy, or representative.
This name
VickeryA locational surname derived from a person who held the office of a vicar or church representative.
also spelled
Vickary
Vicary
Vicarey
Related arms
Vicareyvariant spelling
Vicaryvariant spelling
Vickaryvariant spelling
Vickericevariant 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 English Surnames, 1991
Bardsley, Charles Wareing, A Dictionary of English and Welsh Surnames, 1901
Borthwick Institute for Archives, York Diocesan Archives: Parish Registers of York, 1620
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
chiefAuthority, wisdom and dominion
cinquefoilHope and joy
chiefAuthority, wisdom and dominion
cinquefoilHope and joy
