A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Bafford family of England.
Reg. 2252 · English, A–C
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
bordureA difference between branches of one family
bearStrength, cunning and protection of kin
Colours
Black (Sable)Means: Constancy
Silver (Argent)Means: Peace and sincerity
Gold (Or)Means: Generosity
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)
“Sa. three dancing bears or, (another, a bordure, ar.)”
NottinghamshireNottinghamshire, c. 1620
Where the Bafford Arms Were Recorded
Nottinghamshire
Map of England showing where the Bafford arms are recorded
The Bafford arms were recorded in Nottinghamshire, 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 Bafford 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 Nottinghamshire.
Origin & History of the Bafford Family in England
The family name Bafford is deeply rooted in the rural landscape of Nottinghamshire, where records confirm members of the family were living as early as 1620. During this period, the region was defined by small agricultural communities and the influence of the nearby Sherwood Forest. Families like the Baffords often lived in close-knit parishes, where their daily lives revolved around farming, local trade, and the changing seasons of the English Midlands. The name itself likely evolved from a specific geographic location or a descriptive nickname used to identify a person within their village. As the seventeenth century progressed, these early ancestors helped shape the local community through their work and their presence in parish registers. Their history reflects the quiet persistence of families who built their lives in the English countryside during a time of significant social and political transition.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Befer-ford
A river crossing frequented by beavers or near a beaver colony.
This name
BaffordDerived from a locational surname referring to a ford associated with beavers.
also spelled
Bafforth
Documented Sources
Sir Bernard Burke, The General Armory of England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales, London: Harrison & Sons, 1884
bordureA difference between branches of one family
bearStrength, cunning and protection of kin
bordureA difference between branches of one family
bearStrength, cunning and protection of kin
