A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Basham family of England.
Reg. 4234 · English, A–C
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
crescentHonour by the sovereign, and the second son
Colours
Black (Sable)Means: Constancy
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)
“Sa. a crescent ar”
Englandc. 1620
Where the Basham Arms Were Recorded
York
Map of England showing where the Basham arms are recorded
The Basham 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 Basham 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 Basham Family in England
The family name Basham is rooted in the history of Northern England, with records confirming that family members were well-established in the city of York by the year 1620. The name is generally considered to be locational in origin, meaning it likely evolved from a specific place name or a geographic feature near where the earliest ancestors lived. During the early seventeenth century, York was a bustling center of trade and religious life, and families like the Bashams were often involved in the local merchant guilds or agricultural communities that supported the city. As the family grew, they became part of the social fabric of the region, navigating the significant political and religious shifts that defined England during the Stuart period. By documenting their presence in parish registers and local administrative papers, these early ancestors helped preserve the identity of the name for future generations.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Bas-ham
Derived from the Old English words for a dwelling or homestead.
This name
BashamRefers to a person who lived at or near a specific homestead or enclosure.
also spelled
Bashom
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
The Borthwick Institute for Archives, York Diocesan Records: Parish Registers of York, 1620
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crescentHonour by the sovereign, and the second son
crescentHonour by the sovereign, and the second son
