A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Barnsley family of England.
Reg. 8624 · English, A–C
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
cross symbolChristian faith and service
roseThe seventh son, and beauty with grace
Colours
Red (Gules)Means: Military strength
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)
“Gu. a cross betw. four roses or, leaved vert”
Englandc. 1620
Where the Barnsley Arms Were Recorded
York
Map of England showing where the Barnsley arms are recorded
The Barnsley 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 Barnsley 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 Barnsley Family in England
The surname Barnsley is a locative name, meaning it originated from a specific place rather than a trade or a personal characteristic. It is derived from the town of Barnsley in South Yorkshire, which was historically known as Berneslai in the Domesday Book of 1086. The name likely combines the Old English word for a warrior or a nobleman with a term for a forest clearing. By the early 17th century, members of the family had established a presence in the city of York, which was a major regional hub for commerce and administration at the time. These early settlers were part of a growing urban middle class that moved between the rural areas of the West Riding and the bustling city center. Their migration reflects the broader movement of families seeking new economic opportunities in northern English cities during the reign of King James I.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Beorn
Old English word for a warrior or a bear.
This name
BarnsleyA clearing in the woods belonging to a man named Beorn.
also spelled
Barnesly
Barnsly
Bernsley
Related arms
Barneslyvariant 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
Mills, Anthony David. A Dictionary of English Place-Names. 1991
Reaney, Percy Hide. A Dictionary of British Surnames. 1958
The National Archives. Probate Records of the Prerogative Court of Canterbury. 1620
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
roseThe seventh son, and beauty with grace
cross symbolChristian faith and service
roseThe seventh son, and beauty with grace
