Map of England showing where the Wickham arms are recorded
The Wickham arms were recorded in England, c. 1584.
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.
Elizabeth I of England
Sovereign of the period
Elizabeth I of England
1558–1603
Reigning in England when the Wickham 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 Wickham Family in England
The surname Wickham is a locational name that originated in England, derived from the Old English words "wic," meaning a dwelling or specialized farm, and "ham," meaning a village or homestead. Families bearing this name were often associated with specific settlements across the country, as people frequently adopted the name of their home village when moving to new areas. By the year 1584, records confirm that members of the Wickham family were well-established in the city of York. During this period, the family was integrated into the urban life of Northern England, likely participating in the local trade and civic activities that defined the region. Because the name describes a type of place rather than a specific person, it emerged independently in several different counties, allowing the family to build local histories in various parts of the nation long before they became prominent in the historical record of York.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Wic and Ham
Old English for a dairy farm or village settlement.
This name
WickhamRefers to a person who lived at or near a village or a specialized dairy farm.
also spelled
Wykeham
Wykham
Wickam
Related arms
Pynksame arms
Wickamvariant spelling
Wykehamvariant spelling
Poollrecorded with Wickham, same area
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
York City Archives, York Civic Records, 1584
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bordureA difference between branches of one family
mulletThe third son, and a divine quality from above
bordureA difference between branches of one family
mulletThe third son, and a divine quality from above
