A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Beacon family of England.
Reg. 1981 · English, A–C
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
lionCourage, strength and royalty
Colours
Gold (Or)Means: Generosity
Black (Sable)Means: Constancy
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, or and sa. four leopards' heads counterchanged”
Englandc. 1620
Where the Beacon Arms Were Recorded
York
Map of England showing where the Beacon arms are recorded
The Beacon 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 Beacon 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 Beacon Family in England
The surname Beacon is rooted in the landscape and history of Northern England, particularly within the city of York. During the early seventeenth century, the name was associated with families living in this historic hub, where records confirm their presence by 1620. The name itself likely originated as a topographic descriptor, referring to individuals who lived near a beacon or a signal fire used to warn local communities of approaching danger. In a time when York served as a vital administrative and military center, these signal points were essential for regional security. As the family established themselves in the city, they became part of the local social fabric, contributing to the growth and daily life of a community defined by its medieval walls and long-standing trade traditions.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
bec
Old English term for a stream or a brook.
This name
BeaconA topographic name for someone who lived near a signal fire or a stream.
also spelled
Beakon
Becon
Beaken
Related arms
Brownesame arms
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
Borthwick Institute for Archives, York Diocesan Probate Records, 1620
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lionCourage, strength and royalty
lionCourage, strength and royalty
