A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Bancroft family of England.
Reg. 1087 · English, A–C
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
bendDefence, and the scarf of a commander
cross symbolChristian faith and service
wheatsheafPlenty, and the harvest of one's own labour
Colours
Gold (Or)Means: Generosity
Blue (Azure)Means: Loyalty and truth
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)
“Or, on a bend betw. six crosses crosslet az. three garbs gold”
EnglandLondon, c. 1604
Where the Bancroft Arms Were Recorded
London
Map of England showing where the Bancroft arms are recorded
The Bancroft arms were recorded in London, c. 1604.
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 Bancroft 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 Bancroft Family in England
The surname Bancroft is of English origin and is classified as a topographical name. It was originally used to describe someone who lived near a bean field, as the name is derived from the Old English words "bean" and "croft." By the early 17th century, the family had established a notable presence in London, where records from 1604 confirm their residence in the city. During this period, the name was associated with families who were often involved in the professional and ecclesiastical life of England. As the family grew, they contributed to the social fabric of London during a time of significant cultural change. Their transition from rural landowners to urban residents reflects the broader movement of families toward the capital city during the reign of King James I.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
ban + croft
bean field or an enclosed piece of land
This name
Bancroftderived from a dweller by a bean field or a small enclosed agricultural plot
also spelled
Bankcroft
Documented Sources
Sir Bernard Burke, The General Armory of England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales, London: Harrison & Sons, 1884
Reaney, P.H. and Wilson, R.M., A Dictionary of English Surnames, 1991
London Metropolitan Archives, Church of England Parish Registers, 1604
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
bendDefence, and the scarf of a commander
cross symbolChristian faith and service
wheatsheafPlenty, and the harvest of one's own labour
bendDefence, and the scarf of a commander
cross symbolChristian faith and service
wheatsheafPlenty, and the harvest of one's own labour
