Map of England showing where the Walker arms are recorded
The Walker arms were recorded in York, c. 1562.
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.
Elizabeth I of England
Sovereign of the period
Elizabeth I of England
1558–1603
Reigning in England when the Walker 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 York.
Origin & History of the Walker Family in England
The surname Walker originated as an occupational name during the Middle Ages in England. It describes a person who worked as a fuller, which was a vital step in the medieval cloth-making industry. These workers would walk or tread on raw wool cloth in troughs of water and cleansing agents to thicken and clean the fabric. Because this process required physical labor, the name became common across many English regions. By the time records confirm the presence of the Walker family in York in 1562, the name was already well-established throughout the country. Families with this name often lived near rivers or streams where the water needed for the fulling process was easily accessible. Over time, the name transitioned from a description of a specific job into a permanent family identifier that was passed down through generations.
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
chevronProtection, and faithful service completed
cantonA mark of honour granted by the sovereign
bordureA difference between branches of one family
crescentHonour by the sovereign, and the second son
dovePeace, love and the Holy Spirit
Colours
Blue (Azure)Means: Loyalty and truth
Silver (Argent)Means: Peace and sincerity
Gold (Or)Means: Generosity
Historical info
Source
Sir Bernard Burke, The General Armory of England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales, London: Harrison & Sons, 1884
Blazon (the actual original written record)
“Az. a chev. betw. three crescents ar. on a canton or, a turtle dove ppr. all within a border of the third”
MeathPortlester · Meath, c. 1812
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Map of Ireland showing where the Walker arms are recorded
The Walker arms were recorded in Meath, c. 1812.
Meath was the best farmland in Ireland and the old seat of its high kings. Norman families took it early and held it, and land of that quality kept the same families on it for centuries.
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 Ireland in this period.
George III of Great Britain
Sovereign of the period
George III of Great Britain
1801–1820
Reigning in England when the Walker arms are first recorded.
How Arms Worked in Ireland
The Ulster King of Arms granted coats of arms to individuals who proved their social standing and good character. These symbols were typically inherited by all legitimate descendants of the original holder. If a family branch wanted a unique look, they could apply for a specific change to their design through the office to ensure their identity remained distinct.
Granting authority
The Ulster King of Arms acted as the official body that regulated and issued all coats of arms throughout Ireland.
How they got arms
Families obtained their arms through formal grants issued by the office after proving their eligibility and paying the required fees.
Where arms were recorded
All official grants were recorded in the registers held by the Ulster King of Arms starting from the year 1552.
The family's standing
Recorded among the armigerous families of Meath.
Origin & History of the Walker Family in Ireland
The name Walker is an occupational surname that originated in England, referring to a person who worked in the cloth industry by thickening or cleansing raw wool. While the name is primarily associated with English roots, families bearing this surname established themselves in Ireland during the periods of plantation and migration that occurred between the seventeenth and nineteenth centuries. By the early nineteenth century, the Walker family had firmly settled in County Meath, a region known for its rich agricultural history and proximity to Dublin. These early settlers often integrated into the local community through farming or trade, adapting to the social and economic landscape of rural Ireland. Their presence in Meath by 1812 reflects a broader pattern of families moving across the Irish Sea to seek new opportunities, eventually becoming a part of the local fabric of the Irish Midlands.
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
paleMilitary strength, and a fortified defence
saltireResolution, and St Andrew's cross
chiefAuthority, wisdom and dominion
crescentHonour by the sovereign, and the second son
spurKnighthood, and readiness to spur on
Colours
Gold (Or)Means: Generosity
Red (Gules)Means: Military strength
Blue (Azure)Means: Loyalty and truth
Silver (Argent)Means: Peace and sincerity
Historical info
Source
Sir Bernard Burke, The General Armory of England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales, London: Harrison & Sons, 1884
Blazon (the actual original written record)
“Or, three pallets gu. surmounted of a saltire ar. on a chief az. a crescent of the third betw. two spur-rowels of the first”
Scotlandc. 1748
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Map of Scotland showing where the Walker arms are recorded
The Walker arms were recorded in Scotland, c. 1748.
Arms such as these were typically recorded in Edinburgh.
Edinburgh was the seat of Scotland's government, its courts and its heralds. Families with business there settled nearby, and being close to where arms were recorded is exactly why so many of them appear.
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 Scotland in this period.
George II of Great Britain
Sovereign of the period
George II of Great Britain
1727–1760
Reigning in England when the Walker arms are first recorded.
How Arms Worked in Scotland
Scottish heraldry is unique because it treats a coat of arms as a piece of personal property protected by law. Only one person can own a specific design at any given time. When a family grows, the head keeps the original shield while other relatives must apply for their own distinct version with slight changes to prove their specific identity.
Granting authority
The Court of the Lord Lyon acts as the official body that regulates and controls all heraldic matters throughout Scotland.
How they got arms
Individuals obtain a legal right to their arms through a formal petition process that confirms their identity and family connection.
Where arms were recorded
All valid coats of arms are officially entered into the Public Register of All Arms and Bearings starting from 1672.
The family's standing
Recorded among the armigerous families of Scotland.
Origin & History of the Walker Family in Scotland
The surname Walker originated as an occupational name derived from the medieval practice of fulling cloth. In Scotland, a walker was a person who cleaned and thickened raw wool by trampling it in water, a process often called walking. Because this trade was essential to the local economy, the name became common in various regions, including the bustling streets of Edinburgh. By the time ancestors of the family were documented in Edinburgh in 1748, the name had long transitioned from a simple job description to a stable hereditary surname. These early family members lived during a period of significant urban growth in Scotland, where they likely participated in the city’s thriving trade networks. As the industrial landscape of the eighteenth century began to shift, the name remained a link to the traditional craft skills that had supported Scottish households for generations.
Walker Meaning & Related Branches
Root word
wealcan
Old English verb meaning to roll, toss, or move about.
This name
WalkerAn occupational surname for a fuller who cleaned and thickened raw cloth by walking on it.
also spelled
Walcker
Wacker
Walkar
Waker
Related arms
Martin de Lockyngesimilar arms
Sheffieldsimilar arms
Viellsimilar arms
Wackervariant spelling
Documented Sources
Sir Bernard Burke, The General Armory of England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales, London: Harrison & Sons, 1884
Bardsley, Charles Wareing, A Dictionary of English and Welsh Surnames, 1901
Reaney, P.H., A Dictionary of British Surnames, 1958
York City Archives, York City Chamberlains' Account Rolls, 1562
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
chevronProtection, and faithful service completed
roundelA coin, and one who has been to the crusades
trefoilPerpetuity, and the Trinity
chevronProtection, and faithful service completed
roundelA coin, and one who has been to the crusades
trefoilPerpetuity, and the Trinity
cantonA mark of honour granted by the sovereign
bordureA difference between branches of one family
crescentHonour by the sovereign, and the second son
dovePeace, love and the Holy Spirit
paleMilitary strength, and a fortified defence
saltireResolution, and St Andrew's cross
chiefAuthority, wisdom and dominion
spurKnighthood, and readiness to spur on
