A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Bamburgh family of England.
Reg. 3273 · English, A–C
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
chiefAuthority, wisdom and dominion
lionCourage, strength and royalty
Colours
Silver (Argent)Means: Peace and sincerity
Black (Sable)Means: Constancy
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)
“Ar. on a chief sa. a lion pass. of the first”
Englandc. 1620
Where the Bamburgh Arms Were Recorded
York
Map of England showing where the Bamburgh arms are recorded
The Bamburgh 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 Bamburgh 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 Bamburgh Family in England
The family name Bamburgh is derived from the ancient town of Bamburgh in Northumberland, which served as a significant royal center in the early medieval period. People who moved away from this coastal settlement often adopted the name to identify their place of origin, a common practice for families establishing themselves in new cities. By 1620, records confirm that members of the Bamburgh family were well-established in the city of York. During this era, York was a bustling hub of trade and administration, suggesting that these early ancestors were likely involved in the city's growing merchant class or local craft guilds. This migration from the north toward the economic opportunities of York reflects the broader movement of families seeking stability and professional growth in England’s urban centers during the seventeenth century.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Bebbanburh
A fortified place or stronghold belonging to a woman named Bebba.
This name
BamburghRefers to a person originating from the town of Bamburgh in Northumberland, England.
also spelled
Bamburg
Bambourg
Bamborough
Related arms
Bamburgvariant spelling
Documented Sources
Sir Bernard Burke, The General Armory of England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales, London: Harrison & Sons, 1884
Ekwall, Eilert. The Concise Oxford Dictionary of English Place-names. 1960
Reaney, P.H. A Dictionary of British Surnames. 1958
Borthwick Institute for Archives, University of York. 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.
chiefAuthority, wisdom and dominion
lionCourage, strength and royalty
chiefAuthority, wisdom and dominion
lionCourage, strength and royalty
