A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Basford family of England.
Reg. 5539 · English, A–C
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
eagleNobility, strength and a keen mind
Colours
Blue (Azure)Means: Loyalty and truth
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)
“Az. three eagles displ. betw. two bendlets ar”
DerbyGrange · Derby, c. 1620
Where the Basford Arms Were Recorded
Derby
Map of England showing where the Basford arms are recorded
The Basford arms were recorded in Derby, c. 1620.
Derbyshire had lead mines in its hills and good grazing in its valleys. Both made steady money, and families who made it bought manors, which is what put their names into the heraldic records.
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 Basford 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 Derby.
Origin & History of the Basford Family in England
The surname Basford is a locative name, meaning it originated from a specific place rather than a trade or a personal characteristic. It is derived from the Old English words "baeth," meaning bath or stream, and "ford," which refers to a shallow crossing point in a river. Families carrying this name likely lived near such a crossing in the English Midlands. By the year 1620, records confirm that members of the Basford family were well-established in the town of Derby. During this era, Derby was a growing market center, and families like the Basfords often played active roles in the local community through trade, craftsmanship, or land ownership. As the family grew, they became a recognized part of the regional history of Derbyshire, leaving their mark on the local records of the seventeenth century.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Basse and ford
A low-lying area and a shallow river crossing point.
This name
BasfordRefers to a settlement located at a river crossing near low-lying land.
also spelled
Basforth
Related arms
Coventryrecorded with Basford, same area
Documented Sources
Sir Bernard Burke, The General Armory of England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales, London: Harrison & Sons, 1884
Reaney, P.H., A Dictionary of English Surnames, 1991
Derbyshire Record Office, Derby St. Alkmund 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.
eagleNobility, strength and a keen mind
eagleNobility, strength and a keen mind
