Map of England showing where the Wicke arms are recorded
The Wicke 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 Wicke 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 Wicke Family in England
The surname Wicke is rooted in the linguistic traditions of Northern Europe, where it functioned as a topographic name for people living near a specialized settlement or a dairy farm. In Old English and Old German, the term referred to a village or a place of trade, suggesting that the earliest ancestors were likely farmers or merchants who identified themselves by their local surroundings. By the year 1620, records confirm that members of the Wicke family were established in the city of York. During this era, York served as a vital northern hub for commerce and religious administration, providing a stable environment for families to grow and integrate into the local community. These early residents were part of a growing urban population that helped shape the social and economic landscape of the region during the early seventeenth century.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
wic
Old English term for a dwelling, village, or specialized trading settlement.
This name
WickeA topographic name for someone who lived near a dairy farm or a specialized trading place.
also spelled
Wicks
Related arms
Wicksvariant spelling
Documented Sources
Sir Bernard Burke, The General Armory of England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales, London: Harrison & Sons, 1884
Reaney, P.H. and Wilson, R.M., A Dictionary of English Surnames, 1991
Bardsley, Charles Wareing, A Dictionary of English and Welsh Surnames, 1901
Borthwick Institute for Archives, York Diocesan Probate Records
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bendDefence, and the scarf of a commander
bendDefence, and the scarf of a commander
