Map of England showing where the Wakeham arms are recorded
The Wakeham 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 Wakeham 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 Wakeham Family in England
The surname Wakeham is deeply rooted in the landscape of South Devon, where the family has maintained a documented presence for centuries. The name is locative in origin, likely derived from a specific farm or settlement known as "Wakeham," which translates from Old English to mean the homestead or enclosure belonging to a person named Waca. By the early 17th century, the family was well-established in the region, particularly around the parishes of Modbury and Bigbury. During this era, the Wakehams were typically yeoman farmers who played an essential role in the local agricultural economy. Their lives were closely tied to the rolling hills and coastal geography of the South Hams, where they worked the land and participated in the civic life of their rural communities. This long-standing connection to the Devon countryside suggests that the family name grew from a deep sense of place and a stable, multi-generational history in the West Country.
Wakeham Meaning & Related Branches
Root word
Waca
An Old English personal name meaning to wake or watch.
This name
WakehamA topographical name referring to a homestead or enclosure situated near a watchman's post or lookout.
also spelled
Wakeholme
Waykeham
Wakehem
Related arms
Arglessimilar arms
Leighrecorded with Wakeham, same area
Documented Sources
Sir Bernard Burke, The General Armory of England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales, London: Harrison & Sons, 1884
Gover, J.E.B., Mawer, A., and Stenton, F.M., The Place-Names of Devon, 1931
Reaney, P.H., A Dictionary of British Surnames, 1958
Devon Archives and Local Studies Service, Parish Registers of Modbury and Bigbury, 1600–1700
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
paleMilitary strength, and a fortified defence
hunting horn stringedOne who delights in the chase
paleMilitary strength, and a fortified defence
hunting horn stringedOne who delights in the chase
