A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Bairstow family of England.
Reg. 4251 · English, A–C
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
fessThe military belt, and readiness to serve
crescentHonour by the sovereign, and the second son
Colours
ErmineMeans: Dignity
Black (Sable)Means: Constancy
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)
“Erm. on a fesse betw. two cottises sa. three crescents ar”
Englandc. 1620
Where the Bairstow Arms Were Recorded
York
Map of England showing where the Bairstow arms are recorded
The Bairstow 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 Bairstow 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 Bairstow Family in England
The surname Bairstow is a locative name, meaning it originated from a specific place rather than a trade or a personal characteristic. It is derived from the Old English words "baer," meaning bare or open, and "stow," which refers to a place or a meeting spot. This suggests that the earliest members of the family lived near a cleared piece of land or a prominent assembly point in the West Riding of Yorkshire. By the early 17th century, the family had established a firm presence in the city of York, where they were integrated into the local community. During this period, the name was often associated with families who held land or participated in the growing mercantile activities of the region. As the family expanded throughout the 1600s, they became a recognized part of the historical landscape of Northern England, leaving behind records of their daily lives, marriages, and property ownership that document their long-standing roots in the area.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
baer-stow
A place or dwelling located near a pasture or clearing.
This name
BairstowDerived from a topographic location referring to a farmstead situated by a grassy clearing.
also spelled
Barstow
Barstowe
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
Smith, Albert Hugh, The Place-Names of the West Riding of Yorkshire, 1961
Borthwick Institute for Archives, York Diocesan Probate Records, 1620
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
fessThe military belt, and readiness to serve
crescentHonour by the sovereign, and the second son
fessThe military belt, and readiness to serve
crescentHonour by the sovereign, and the second son
