A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Barbour family lines. Documented in 2 countries.
Reg. 8218 · English, A–C
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
bordureA difference between branches of one family
cantonA mark of honour granted by the sovereign
mulletThe third son, and a divine quality from above
Colours
Red (Gules)Means: Military strength
Gold (Or)Means: Generosity
ErmineMeans: Dignity
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)
“Gu. three mullets ar. within a bordure erm. (another adds a canton or)”
StaffordshireStaffordshire, c. 1620
Where the Barbour Arms Were Recorded
Staffordshire
Map of England showing where the Barbour arms are recorded
The Barbour arms were recorded in Staffordshire, 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 Barbour 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 Staffordshire.
Origin & History of the Barbour Family in England
The surname Barbour is an occupational name that originated in medieval England to describe a person who worked as a barber. During the Middle Ages, these professionals did much more than cut hair, as they were also responsible for minor surgeries, bloodletting, and dentistry. By the time the name became firmly established in records, many families carrying it had settled in the West Midlands. Historical documents confirm that members of the Barbour family were well-established in Staffordshire by 1620. During this period, the family lived in a region known for its growing trade and agricultural output. As the name spread across the English countryside, it evolved from a simple job title into a permanent family name passed down through generations. This transition reflects a time when surnames were becoming necessary for local governments to track tax payments and legal responsibilities within the growing English population.
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
cross symbolChristian faith and service
wheatsheafPlenty, and the harvest of one's own labour
escallopThe pilgrim's shell, and a long journey made
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 St. Andrew's cross betw. a garb in chief two escallops in the flanks and another in base gu”
RossMuldearg · Ross, c. 1672
Where the Barbour Arms Were Recorded
Map of Scotland showing where the Barbour arms are recorded
The Barbour arms were recorded in Ross, c. 1672.
Ross was Highland country reaching from the North Sea to the Atlantic, held by clan families. Chiefs recorded arms to mark the head of a line and branches recorded their own beneath them.
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 Scotland in this period.
Charles II of England
Sovereign of the period
Charles II of England
1660–1685
Reigning in England when the Barbour arms are first recorded.
How Arms Worked in Scotland
Scottish heraldry is unique because it treats a coat of arms as a piece of personal property protected by law. Only one person can own a specific design at any given time. When a family grows, the head keeps the original shield while other relatives must apply for their own distinct version with slight changes to prove their specific identity.
Granting authority
The Court of the Lord Lyon acts as the official body that regulates and controls all heraldic matters throughout Scotland.
How they got arms
Individuals obtain a legal right to their arms through a formal petition process that confirms their identity and family connection.
Where arms were recorded
All valid coats of arms are officially entered into the Public Register of All Arms and Bearings starting from 1672.
The family's standing
Recorded among the armigerous families of Ross.
Origin & History of the Barbour Family in Scotland
The surname Barbour has deep roots in the medieval history of Scotland, where it originated as an occupational name for a barber or a surgeon. During the Middle Ages, these professionals were highly valued for their skills in both grooming and basic medical care, which allowed families bearing the name to establish themselves in various regions across the country. By the late seventeenth century, the family had a notable presence in the northern region of Ross. Records from 1672 confirm that members of the Barbour family were living and working within this rugged landscape during a time of significant social and political transition in the Scottish Highlands. As the family settled into these northern communities, they became part of the local fabric, participating in the agricultural and trade activities that defined life in Ross during the late Stuart period.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
barbarius
Latin term referring to a person who shaves or cuts hair.
This name
BarbourAn occupational surname for a barber or a surgeon who performed bloodletting.
also spelled
Barber
Barbor
Related arms
Barbervariant spelling
Barbers, Company ofvariant spelling
Barber-Surgeons, Company ofvariant spelling
Barborvariant spelling
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
Reaney, P.H., A Dictionary of British Surnames, 1958
Staffordshire Record Office, Diocese of Lichfield and Coventry: Parish Registers, 1620
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
bordureA difference between branches of one family
cantonA mark of honour granted by the sovereign
mulletThe third son, and a divine quality from above
bordureA difference between branches of one family
cantonA mark of honour granted by the sovereign
mulletThe third son, and a divine quality from above
cross symbolChristian faith and service
wheatsheafPlenty, and the harvest of one's own labour
escallopThe pilgrim's shell, and a long journey made
