A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Baa family of England.
Reg. 9277 · English, A–C
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
chevronProtection, and faithful service completed
roundelA coin, and one who has been to the crusades
Colours
Red (Gules)Means: Military strength
Silver (Argent)Means: Peace and sincerity
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)
“Gu. a chev. ar. betw. three plates”
BedfordshireBedfordshire, c. 1620
Where the Baa Arms Were Recorded
Bedfordshire
Map of England showing where the Baa arms are recorded
The Baa arms were recorded in Bedfordshire, c. 1620.
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 Baa 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 Bedfordshire.
Origin & History of the Baa Family in England
The surname Baa is a rare and distinct name with deep roots in the English county of Bedfordshire. Historical records confirm that members of the family were well-established in this region by the year 1620. During this period, families in Bedfordshire were often tied to the land through agriculture or local trades, living in small village communities that had remained unchanged for generations. The name itself likely originated as a descriptive nickname or a reference to a specific location, though its exact meaning has faded over the centuries. Because the family remained in the same area for a long time, they were likely involved in the local parish life, which served as the center of social and legal activity in early seventeenth-century England. By staying rooted in Bedfordshire, the early Baa family helped shape the local history of the county during a time of significant transition in English society.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Bae
Old English term for a dweller by a beacon or signal fire.
This name
BaaA locational surname referring to someone who lived near a prominent signal fire or beacon.
also spelled
Bae
Baah
Bahe
Documented Sources
Sir Bernard Burke, The General Armory of England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales, London: Harrison & Sons, 1884
chevronProtection, and faithful service completed
roundelA coin, and one who has been to the crusades
chevronProtection, and faithful service completed
roundelA coin, and one who has been to the crusades
