A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Bayford family of England.
Reg. 2902 · English, A–C
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
fessThe military belt, and readiness to serve
lionCourage, strength and royalty
Colours
Black (Sable)Means: Constancy
Gold (Or)Means: Generosity
Blue (Azure)Means: Loyalty and truth
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 vairé or and az. betw. three leopards' heads of the second”
Englandc. 1620
Where the Bayford Arms Were Recorded
York
Map of England showing where the Bayford arms are recorded
The Bayford 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 Bayford 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 Bayford Family in England
The surname Bayford 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 "beg," meaning berry or bay, and "ford," which refers to a shallow crossing point in a river. Families carrying this name likely lived near such a landmark in the English countryside before the name became fixed as a hereditary surname. By the year 1620, records confirm that members of the Bayford family were well-established in the city of York. During this period, York was a major hub for trade and administration in Northern England. The presence of the family in such a prominent city suggests they were likely involved in the local merchant class or skilled trades that supported the urban economy of the seventeenth century. As the family grew, they moved through various regions, but their roots remained tied to the English landscape that first gave them their name.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Begeford
A ford crossing located near a stream or river.
This name
BayfordDerived from an Old English location referring to a river crossing associated with a person named Baga.
also spelled
Bayforth
Baford
Bayfurd
Beyford
Related arms
Bayrfordvariant spelling
Documented Sources
Sir Bernard Burke, The General Armory of England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales, London: Harrison & Sons, 1884
Reaney, P.H. and Wilson, R.M., A Dictionary of English Surnames, 1991
Bardsley, Charles Wareing, A Dictionary of English and Welsh Surnames, 1901
Borthwick Institute for Archives, York Diocesan Probate Records, 1620
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
lionCourage, strength and royalty
fessThe military belt, and readiness to serve
lionCourage, strength and royalty
