A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Beale family of England.
Reg. 9615 · English, A–C
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
chevronProtection, and faithful service completed
arms pheon arrowheadReadiness for battle, and the broad arrow of the sovereign
Colours
Silver (Argent)Means: Peace and sincerity
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)
“Ar. a chev. betw. three pheons sa. the two in chief lying fesseways point to point”
HerefordshireHerefordshire, c. 1620
Where the Beale Arms Were Recorded
Herefordshire
Map of England showing where the Beale arms are recorded
The Beale arms were recorded in Herefordshire, c. 1620.
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 Beale 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 Herefordshire.
Origin & History of the Beale Family in England
The surname Beale is thought to have originated as a descriptive nickname, likely derived from the Old French word "bel," which means beautiful or fair. During the Middle Ages, such names were often given to individuals to highlight a specific physical trait or a pleasant personality. By the early 17th century, the family had established a notable presence in the English county of Herefordshire. Records from 1620 confirm that members of the Beale family were living and working in this region, which was then a rural area defined by its agricultural landscape and proximity to the Welsh border. As the family grew, they integrated into the local community, contributing to the social and economic life of the English countryside during a period of significant transition in British history.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
bel
Old French term meaning beautiful or fair.
This name
BealeA descriptive nickname for a handsome or attractive individual.
also spelled
Beall
Related arms
Ballsimilar arms
Beckwithsimilar arms
Carysimilar arms
Beall, or Bealvariant spelling
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
Herefordshire Archives and Records Centre, Parish Registers of Herefordshire, 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
arms pheon arrowheadReadiness for battle, and the broad arrow of the sovereign
chevronProtection, and faithful service completed
arms pheon arrowheadReadiness for battle, and the broad arrow of the sovereign
