Map of England showing where the Whitewick arms are recorded
The Whitewick arms were recorded in Stafford, c. 1620.
Staffordshire was mixed country of moorland, farmland and early ironworking. Its landed families were spread widely rather than concentrated, and each holding brought its own claim to 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 Whitewick 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 Stafford.
Origin & History of the Whitewick Family in England
The name Whitewick is a locational surname that likely originated from a small settlement or farmstead in the English Midlands. By 1620, records confirm that members of the family were firmly established in the town of Stafford. During this period, Stafford was a bustling market town and a center for local government, which suggests that the family was likely involved in trade, craftsmanship, or regional administration. The name itself follows a traditional English pattern, combining the Old English words for white and a dwelling or dairy farm. This implies that the earliest ancestors to carry the name were likely farmers or landholders who lived near a distinctively pale-colored structure or a patch of light-colored soil. As the family grew, they became part of the social fabric of Staffordshire, contributing to the local economy and community life long before the industrial changes of later centuries.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Hwita-wic
Old English for white or bright dwelling place.
This name
WhitewickRefers to a person who lived at a white or pale-colored farm or dairy farm.
also spelled
Whytwick
Whitwyck
Documented Sources
Sir Bernard Burke, The General Armory of England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales, London: Harrison & Sons, 1884
Staffordshire Record Office, Parish registers of St. Mary’s Church, Stafford (D3596)
Mander, G. P., The History of the Borough of Stafford, 1952
Reaney, P. H., A Dictionary of English Surnames, 1958
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
lionCourage, strength and royalty
arms pheon arrowheadReadiness for battle, and the broad arrow of the sovereign
chevronProtection, and faithful service completed
lionCourage, strength and royalty
arms pheon arrowheadReadiness for battle, and the broad arrow of the sovereign
