A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Bardwell family of England.
Reg. 9657 · English, A–C
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
goatOne who wins by diplomacy rather than force
Colours
Red (Gules)Means: Military strength
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. a goat salient (or pass.) ar. attired or”
NorfolkNorfolk, c. 1620
Where the Bardwell Arms Were Recorded
Norfolk
Map of England showing where the Bardwell arms are recorded
The Bardwell arms were recorded in Norfolk, c. 1620.
Norfolk grew rich on wool and grain, and its wealth was spread among many middling families rather than a few great ones. Households of that kind bought land and took arms, and the county holds a large share of English names.
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 Bardwell 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 Norfolk.
Origin & History of the Bardwell Family in England
The surname Bardwell originates from a place name in the county of Suffolk, England, specifically the village of Bardwell. The name itself is derived from Old English roots, likely combining a personal name with the word for a spring or a stream. By the early seventeenth century, members of the family had established a notable presence in the neighboring county of Norfolk. Records from 1620 confirm that individuals bearing this name were living in the region during a time of significant social and economic change in England. As the family grew, they became part of the local fabric of Norfolk society, contributing to the agricultural and community life of the area long before many of their descendants eventually sought new opportunities across the Atlantic.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Bearda-wella
A stream or spring belonging to a man named Bearda.
This name
BardwellDerived from a place name in Suffolk referring to a spring associated with an individual named Bearda.
also spelled
Bardewell
Bardwill
Related arms
Bardewellvariant 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. and Wilson, R.M. A Dictionary of English Surnames. 1991
The National Archives, Kew. Prerogative Court of Canterbury and Related Probate Jurisdictions: Will Registers. 1620
Norfolk Record Office. Norfolk Parish Registers. 1620
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goatOne who wins by diplomacy rather than force
goatOne who wins by diplomacy rather than force
