A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Barke family of England.
Reg. 5300 · English, A–C
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
chevronProtection, and faithful service completed
crescentHonour by the sovereign, and the second son
Colours
Blue (Azure)Means: Loyalty and truth
Gold (Or)Means: Generosity
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)
“Az. a chev. betw. three crescents or”
Englandc. 1620
Where the Barke Arms Were Recorded
York
Map of England showing where the Barke arms are recorded
The Barke 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 Barke 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 Barke Family in England
The surname Barke finds its roots in the linguistic traditions of Northern England, where it likely originated as an occupational name. In medieval times, a person who worked with tree bark for the tanning of leather was often referred to by this title. By the early seventeenth century, the family had established a notable presence in the historic city of York. Records confirm that members of the Barke family were living there by 1620, a time when York served as a vital center for trade and regional governance. These early ancestors were part of the growing urban population that helped shape the city’s economy through craftsmanship and local commerce. Their settlement in such a prominent northern hub suggests that the family was well-integrated into the social fabric of the region during the transition into the Stuart period.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Bark
Old Norse word for the outer protective layer of a tree.
This name
BarkeAn occupational surname for someone who worked with tree bark, likely a tanner of leather.
also spelled
Barck
Barcke
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, Percy Hide, A Dictionary of British Surnames, 1958
Borthwick Institute for Archives, York Diocesan Probate Records
The National Archives, State Papers Domestic, James I
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
chevronProtection, and faithful service completed
crescentHonour by the sovereign, and the second son
chevronProtection, and faithful service completed
crescentHonour by the sovereign, and the second son
