Map of France showing where the Workington arms are recorded
The Workington arms were recorded in Cumberland, c. 1661.
Cumberland was rough border country in the north-west, facing Scotland across a disputed line. Its families held land in return for keeping it defended, and men who fought carried shields of their own.
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 France in this period.
Louis XIV of France
Sovereign of the period
Louis XIV of France
1643–1715
Reigning in France when the Workington arms are first recorded.
How Arms Worked in France
In France, a coat of arms was a mark of honor that passed down through the male line to all legitimate descendants. Families often used the same shield without changes to show their shared heritage. If a branch wanted to stand out, they could add a small mark to their shield to show their specific place in the family tree.
Granting authority
The Juge d'armes de France acted as the official authority that regulated and verified coats of arms across the country.
How they got arms
Families typically inherited their arms from ancestors, though they could also receive them through royal grants or by proving their noble status.
Where arms were recorded
Coats of arms were officially recorded in the Armorial Général de France, which began its main collection in the year 1696.
The family's standing
Recorded among the armigerous families of Cumberland.
Origin & History of the Workington Family in France
The family name Workington is primarily associated with the town of Workington in Cumberland, where records confirm the family’s presence by 1661. While the name is deeply rooted in English geography, its linguistic origins suggest a connection to the broader movements of people across the English Channel. The structure of the name follows a pattern common among families who migrated from northern France to England during the medieval period, often adopting the name of their new landholdings to signify their status. Before settling in the rugged landscape of Cumberland, ancestors of the family likely navigated the complex social and political shifts of post-Norman France. By the mid-17th century, the family had firmly established itself in the north of England, transitioning from their continental roots to become integral members of the local Cumberland community.
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
chiefAuthority, wisdom and dominion
fretPersuasion, and the net that holds
Colours
Silver (Argent)Means: Peace and sincerity
Blue (Azure)Means: Loyalty and truth
Red (Gules)Means: Military strength
Historical info
Source
Sir Bernard Burke, The General Armory of England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales, London: Harrison & Sons, 1884
Blazon (the actual original written record)
“Ar. fretty gu. a chief az”
Englandc. 1620
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
Map of England showing where the Workington arms are recorded
The Workington 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 France when the Workington 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 Workington Family in England
The surname Workington originates from the town of the same name in Cumberland, England, and follows the tradition of locative names where individuals were identified by their place of origin. During the early seventeenth century, the family established a notable presence in the city of York. By 1620, records indicate that members of the family were integrated into the urban life of this historic northern center. At this time, York was a bustling hub of trade and administration, and families moving from rural areas to the city often did so to pursue new professional opportunities in crafts or commerce. The transition from the coastal region of Cumberland to the inland city of York suggests that the family was mobile and active during a period of significant social change in Northern England. This migration reflects the broader movement of people who sought to improve their livelihoods by settling in established municipal centers where the economy was expanding.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Wurca-tun
Old English for a farmstead belonging to a person named Wurca.
This name
WorkingtonRefers to a settlement or farmstead associated with an individual named Wurca.
also spelled
Curwen
Workington
Kurwen
Documented Sources
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Cumberland Archives, Parish Register of St Michael’s Church, Workington, 1661
Ekwall, Eilert, The Concise Oxford Dictionary of English Place-names, 1960
Mills, A.D., A Dictionary of English Place-Names, 2011
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
chiefAuthority, wisdom and dominion
chiefAuthority, wisdom and dominion
fretPersuasion, and the net that holds
