A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Batman family of England.
Reg. 2360 · English, A–C
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
bendDefence, and the scarf of a commander
lionCourage, strength and royalty
roundelA coin, and one who has been to the crusades
Colours
Blue (Azure)Means: Loyalty and truth
Silver (Argent)Means: Peace and sincerity
Gold (Or)Means: Generosity
Red (Gules)Means: Military strength
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. on a bend ar. cottised or, betw. six lions ramp. of the third three torteaux”
Englandc. 1620
Where the Batman Arms Were Recorded
York
Map of England showing where the Batman arms are recorded
The Batman 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 Batman 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 Batman Family in England
The surname Batman is an occupational name that likely emerged in medieval England to describe a person who served as a servant or an attendant to a knight. The term is derived from the Middle English word "bat," which referred to a packhorse or a beast of burden, combined with the suffix "man." This suggests that the earliest ancestors bearing this name were responsible for managing the transport of military supplies or personal luggage during travel. By the year 1620, records confirm that members of the Batman family were well-established in the city of York. During this period, York was a bustling center of trade and religious life, and families like the Batmans were often integrated into the local merchant or craft guilds that defined the city's economy. These early residents helped shape the local community through their participation in the civic and social structures of Northern England.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Bat
A hypocoristic or pet form of the name Bartholomew.
This name
BatmanA servant or attendant of a man named Bartholomew.
also spelled
Bateman
Batmon
Related arms
Bohunsimilar arms
Bownesimilar arms
Batemanvariant spelling
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
York City Archives, York Freemen’s Register, 1272–1759
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
bendDefence, and the scarf of a commander
lionCourage, strength and royalty
roundelA coin, and one who has been to the crusades
bendDefence, and the scarf of a commander
lionCourage, strength and royalty
roundelA coin, and one who has been to the crusades
