A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Bayfield family of England.
ermineDignity and rankSir Bernard Burke, The General Armory of England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales, London: Harrison & Sons, 1884
Blazon (the actual original written record)“Sa. three bars wavy erm”
The Bayfield arms were recorded in Bayfield, 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.
Reigning in England when the Bayfield arms are first recorded.
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.
The surname Bayfield is a locational name, which means it was originally derived from a specific place where the family lived. Etymologists believe the name comes from Old English roots, likely referring to an open field near a bay or a body of water. By the early 17th century, the family had established a notable presence in the historic city of York. Records confirm that members of the Bayfield family were living in York by 1620, placing them in a bustling center of trade and religion during the Stuart period. As the family grew, they became part of the local social fabric, contributing to the development of the region through their work and daily lives. Over the centuries, the name evolved from a simple description of a landscape into a lasting family identity that reflects the deep history of Northern England.
Old English for a berry or stream and an open field.
