Map of England showing where the Beaird arms are recorded
The Beaird arms were recorded in Derby, c. 1620.
Derbyshire had lead mines in its hills and good grazing in its valleys. Both made steady money, and families who made it bought manors, which is what put their names into the heraldic records.
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 Beaird 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 Derby.
Origin & History of the Beaird Family in England
The surname Beaird is a variation of the name Baird, which has deep roots in the British Isles. Historical records confirm that members of the family were established in the town of Derby by 1620. During this period, the name was often associated with individuals who lived near geographical landmarks or held specific roles within their local communities. As the family settled in the English Midlands, they became part of the growing merchant and artisan classes that defined the social structure of the seventeenth century. Many families during this era moved between regions for work, and the presence of the Beaird name in Derby suggests a history of migration and adaptation as they integrated into the local parish life of the time.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Beard
Old English word for facial hair or a bearded person.
This name
BeairdA descriptive occupational or physical nickname for someone with a prominent beard.
also spelled
Berd
Berde
Documented Sources
Sir Bernard Burke, The General Armory of England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales, London: Harrison & Sons, 1884
Black, George F., The Surnames of Scotland: Their Origin, Meaning, and History, 1946
Reaney, P.H. and Wilson, R.M., A Dictionary of English Surnames, 1991
Derbyshire Record Office, Derby St. Alkmund Parish Registers, 1620
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
chevronProtection, and faithful service completed
trefoilPerpetuity, and the Trinity
chevronProtection, and faithful service completed
trefoilPerpetuity, and the Trinity
