A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Bate family of England.
Reg. 0082 · English, A–C
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
fessThe military belt, and readiness to serve
handFaith, sincerity and justice
Colours
Black (Sable)Means: Constancy
Silver (Argent)Means: Peace and sincerity
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)
“Sa. a fesse engr. ar. betw. three dexter hands couped bendways or”
YorkshireYorkshire, c. 1565
Where the Bate Arms Were Recorded
Yorkshire
Map of England showing where the Bate arms are recorded
The Bate arms were recorded in Yorkshire, c. 1565.
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.
Elizabeth I of England
Sovereign of the period
Elizabeth I of England
1558–1603
Reigning in England when the Bate 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 Yorkshire.
Origin & History of the Bate Family in England
The surname Bate is an ancient English name that likely originated as a shortened form of the name Bartholomew. During the Middle Ages, it was common for people to use these nicknames as a way to identify individuals within a community. By the year 1565, historical records confirm that families bearing the name Bate were well established in the county of Yorkshire. These early ancestors were often part of the rural working class, living in small villages where they made their living through farming or local trades. Because the name was relatively simple and easy to pronounce, it spread steadily across Northern England as families moved to find work or new land. Over several generations, the Bate name became a permanent fixture in the region, reflecting the deep roots that many families planted in the Yorkshire countryside during the sixteenth century.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Bartholomew
Aramaic name meaning son of Talmai or son of the furrow.
This name
BateA medieval diminutive form used as a patronymic surname for the son of Bartholomew.
also spelled
Bait
Baite
Related arms
Bat, or Battsimilar arms
Battsimilar arms
Baett, or Battvariant spelling
Agardrecorded with Bate, same area
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
The National Archives, Parish registers of Yorkshire, 1565
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
fessThe military belt, and readiness to serve
handFaith, sincerity and justice
fessThe military belt, and readiness to serve
handFaith, sincerity and justice
