Map of England showing where the Weekes arms are recorded
The Weekes 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 Weekes 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 Weekes Family in England
The surname Weekes originated in England as a locational name, meaning it was used to identify people who lived near a specific geographical feature. The name is derived from the Old English word "wice," which refers to a wych elm tree, or the word "wic," which describes a dairy farm or a small settlement. By the early 17th century, the family had established a strong presence in the county of Devon. During this period, families in the region were often deeply connected to the local landscape and agricultural life. Because the name was tied to common features of the countryside, it emerged independently in several different locations. By 1620, the Weekes family was well-integrated into the social and economic fabric of Devon, where they lived as farmers and tradespeople during a time of significant transition in English history.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
wic
Old English term for a dwelling, village, or dairy farm.
This name
WeekesA topographic name for someone who lived near a farm or a small settlement.
also spelled
Weeks
Weke
Related arms
Weeksvariant spelling
Weelkesvariant spelling
Wekevariant 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, 1958
Hoskins, W.G., Devon, 1954
The National Archives, Probate records of the Prerogative Court of Canterbury, 1620
Devon Heritage Centre, Parish registers of the Diocese of Exeter, 1620
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axeThe execution of military duty
axeThe execution of military duty
