A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Backhurst family of England.
Reg. 5900 · English, A–C
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
saltireResolution, and St Andrew's cross
Colours
Blue (Azure)Means: Loyalty and truth
ErmineMeans: Dignity
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)
“Az. a saltire erm”
Englandc. 1620
Where the Backhurst Arms Were Recorded
York
Map of England showing where the Backhurst arms are recorded
The Backhurst 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 Backhurst 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 Backhurst Family in England
The family name Backhurst is rooted in the landscape of medieval England, likely originating as a topographic surname for people who lived near a wooded ridge or a hill covered in brush. By the early 17th century, the family had established a notable presence in the historic city of York. Records confirm that members of the Backhurst family were living there by 1620, a time when York served as a major northern hub for trade, religion, and administration. During this period, families in the region often identified themselves by their proximity to specific natural landmarks, which helped distinguish them in growing urban centers. As the family settled into the social fabric of York, they became part of the local community that navigated the significant political and economic shifts of the Stuart era.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Bæc hyrst
Old English for a wooded hill located near a stream or ridge.
This name
BackhurstRefers to a person who lived near a wooded eminence or a ridge by a brook.
also spelled
Backherst
Backhirst
Documented Sources
Sir Bernard Burke, The General Armory of England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales, London: Harrison & Sons, 1884
Bardsley, Charles Wareing, A Dictionary of English and Welsh Surnames, 1901
Reaney, P.H., A Dictionary of British Surnames, 1958
Borthwick Institute for Archives, York Diocesan Probate Records, 1620
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saltireResolution, and St Andrew's cross
saltireResolution, and St Andrew's cross
