A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Beach family of England.
Reg. 0800 · English, A–C
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
cantonA mark of honour granted by the sovereign
pileWell-doing, and a mark of distinction
fleur de lisPurity, light, and the sixth son
Colours
Silver (Argent)Means: Peace and sincerity
Red (Gules)Means: Military strength
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)
“Quarterly, 1st and 4th, vaire ar. and gu. a canton az. charged with a pile or, for BEACH; 2nd and 3rd, gu. a fesse wavy, betw. three fleurs-de-lis or, for HICKS”
GloucesterBeverston · Gloucester, c. 1620
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Map of England showing where the Beach arms are recorded
The Beach arms were recorded in Gloucester, c. 1620.
Gloucestershire had good farmland, a cloth trade in its valleys and a river carrying goods to Bristol. All three made money, and money bought the estates that brought arms with them.
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 Beach 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 Gloucester.
Origin & History of the Beach Family in England
The surname Beach is a topographical name that originated in England, typically referring to someone who lived near a prominent beech tree or a sandy shore. By the early 17th century, members of the Beach family were established in Gloucester, which was a significant center for trade and religious activity at the time. These early settlers were part of a period of great migration, as families sought new opportunities and religious freedom across the Atlantic. Many individuals bearing this name were skilled laborers or farmers who played a vital role in building the foundations of early colonial communities. Their presence in Gloucester suggests they were well-integrated into the local economy before many of them eventually chose to depart for the American colonies around 1620. This transition marked the beginning of the family's long history in North America, where they continued to adapt to the challenges of frontier life.
Beach Meaning & Related Branches
Root word
bece
Old English term referring to a beech tree.
This name
BeachA topographic name for someone who lived near a prominent beech tree or wood.
also spelled
Beech
Beche
Related arms
Bechevariant spelling
Beechvariant spelling
Abadamrecorded with Beach, same area
Hicksrecorded with Beach, 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
Banks, Charles Edward, The English Ancestry and Homes of the Pilgrim Fathers, 1929
Gloucestershire Archives, Gloucester City Records: Burgess Rolls and Freemen's Registers, 1600–1650
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
cantonA mark of honour granted by the sovereign
pileWell-doing, and a mark of distinction
fleur de lisPurity, light, and the sixth son
cantonA mark of honour granted by the sovereign
pileWell-doing, and a mark of distinction
fleur de lisPurity, light, and the sixth son
