A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Beaufoy family of England.
Reg. 7093 · English, A–C
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
bendDefence, and the scarf of a commander
cinquefoilHope and joy
Colours
ErmineMeans: Dignity
Blue (Azure)Means: Loyalty and truth
Gold (Or)Means: Generosity
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)
“Erm. on a bend az. three cinquefoils or”
EnglandCamden, c. 1620
Where the Beaufoy Arms Were Recorded
Camden
Map of England showing where the Beaufoy arms are recorded
The Beaufoy arms were recorded in Camden, 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 Beaufoy 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 Beaufoy Family in England
The surname Beaufoy originates from Normandy and carries a meaning rooted in the French words for "beautiful" and "fay" or "beech tree." This suggests that the earliest ancestors likely lived near a prominent or scenic grove of beech trees. By the early seventeenth century, members of the family had established themselves in England, with historical records confirming their presence in the Camden area by 1620. During this period, the family began to integrate into the social and economic life of London and its surrounding districts. As they settled into these communities, they moved away from their continental roots to become part of the growing merchant and professional classes of early modern England.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Beau foy
Derived from the Old French words for beautiful and faith or trust.
This name
BeaufoyA descriptive nickname for a person who was considered beautiful or faithful.
also spelled
Beaufie
Beaufey
Related arms
Beaufeyvariant spelling
Beawfovariant spelling
Beawfoyvariant 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. and Wilson, R.M., A Dictionary of English Surnames, 1991
The National Archives, Prerogative Court of Canterbury Wills, 1620
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
bendDefence, and the scarf of a commander
cinquefoilHope and joy
bendDefence, and the scarf of a commander
cinquefoilHope and joy
