Map of England showing where the Balmforth arms are recorded
The Balmforth arms were recorded in Derby, c. 1620.
Derbyshire had lead mines in its hills and good grazing in its valleys. Both made steady money, and families who made it bought manors, which is what put their names into the heraldic records.
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 Balmforth 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 Derby.
Origin & History of the Balmforth Family in England
The surname Balmforth is a locative name, meaning it originally described the specific place where an early ancestor lived. The name is derived from the Old English words "balm," referring to a type of fragrant herb, and "forth," which signifies a shallow river crossing. This suggests that the first people to carry the name likely resided near a stream or a ford where these aromatic plants grew in abundance. By 1620, the family had established a clear presence in Derby, a town with a long history of trade and craftsmanship. During this era, families often moved to growing market towns to pursue work in emerging industries like milling or metalworking. As the Balmforth family settled into the local community, they became part of the social fabric of the region, contributing to the development of the area throughout the seventeenth century.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
balm + forth
A fragrant plant or resin and a river crossing or path.
This name
BalmforthA topographic name for someone living near a river crossing by a balm or herb garden.
also spelled
Bamford
Bamfurth
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
Derbyshire Record Office, Derby St Alkmund Parish Registers, 1620
Reaney, P.H., A Dictionary of British Surnames, 1958
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