A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Banbury family of England.
Reg. 3814 · English, A–C
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
cross symbolChristian faith and service
mulletThe third son, and a divine quality from above
Colours
Silver (Argent)Means: Peace and sincerity
Red (Gules)Means: Military strength
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. a cross betw. four mullets pierced gu”
OxfordshireOxfordshire, c. 1620
Where the Banbury Arms Were Recorded
Oxfordshire
Map of England showing where the Banbury arms are recorded
The Banbury arms were recorded in Oxfordshire, 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 Banbury 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 Oxfordshire.
Origin & History of the Banbury Family in England
The family name Banbury is a locative surname, meaning it was originally adopted by individuals who lived in or migrated from the town of Banbury in Oxfordshire. During the medieval period, people often took the name of their home village as a way to identify themselves to others in new regions. By the year 1620, historical records confirm that the family was well-established within Oxfordshire, a county known for its rich agricultural history and central role in English trade. As the family grew, members likely worked in local industries such as wool production or milling, which were the primary economic drivers of the Banbury area during the seventeenth century. Over time, the name became a permanent marker of the family’s deep ancestral connection to this specific part of the English landscape.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Bana
An Old English personal name meaning a slayer or murderer.
This name
BanburyA fortified place or settlement belonging to a man named Bana.
also spelled
Banburghe
Banburie
Banberry
Related arms
Banburghevariant spelling
Bandeburyvariant spelling
Langleyrecorded with Banbury, same area
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
Ekwall, Eilert, The Concise Oxford Dictionary of English Place-names, 1936
Oxfordshire History Centre, Parish Registers of Banbury, 1558–1700
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
cross symbolChristian faith and service
mulletThe third son, and a divine quality from above
cross symbolChristian faith and service
mulletThe third son, and a divine quality from above
