Map of England showing where the Wilkes arms are recorded
The Wilkes arms were recorded in Bedford, c. 1620.
Bedfordshire was small, flat farming country close to London. Its manors were held by middling families rather than great ones, but a manor was a manor, and holding one brought 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 Wilkes 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 Bedford.
Origin & History of the Wilkes Family in England
The family name Wilkes is a patronymic surname, meaning it originated as a way to identify a person as the son or descendant of someone named Will or William. During the Middle Ages in England, names often evolved from nicknames or shortened versions of formal names, and "Wilk" became a common affectionate variation of William. By the time members of the family were documented in Bedford in 1620, the name was already well-established across various English counties. Families with this name were typically part of the emerging middle class, often working as tradespeople, farmers, or local officials. Because records from the early 17th century focus heavily on parish registers and legal documents, we know that the Wilkes family participated in the daily life of their community through church attendance, property ownership, and local commerce. This transition from a simple nickname to a permanent family name reflects the broader historical shift in how people were identified as populations grew and record-keeping became more organized.
Wilkes Meaning & Related Branches
Root word
Wilhelm
Germanic name composed of elements meaning will or desire and helmet.
This name
WilkesA patronymic surname meaning son of Will, a diminutive form of William.
also spelled
Wilks
Wylkes
Related arms
Avelingrecorded with Wilkes, same area
Buckrecorded with Wilkes, same area
Cobbrecorded with Wilkes, same area
Gouldwellrecorded with Wilkes, 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
Bedfordshire Archives, Parish Registers for Bedford St Paul, 1620
Cottle, Basil, The Penguin Dictionary of Surnames, 1967
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
eagleNobility, strength and a keen mind
chevronProtection, and faithful service completed
eagleNobility, strength and a keen mind
