A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Beaver family of England.
Reg. 4292 · English, A–C
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
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Colours
Silver (Argent)Means: Peace and sincerity
Red (Gules)Means: Military strength
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 cinquefoils gu”
Englandc. 1620
Where the Beaver Arms Were Recorded
York
Map of England showing where the Beaver arms are recorded
The Beaver 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 Beaver 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 Beaver Family in England
The surname Beaver originates from medieval England and functions as a locative or descriptive name. It likely began as a nickname for someone who possessed the industrious nature of the animal or perhaps someone who lived near a stream frequented by beavers. By the year 1620, historical records confirm that members of the Beaver family were firmly established in the city of York. During this period, York was a major center for trade and religious life, and families living there were often involved in the city’s guilds or local commerce. As the family grew, they became part of the social fabric of Northern England, eventually spreading across the region as they pursued new opportunities in agriculture and craftsmanship. Their presence in York serves as a starting point for tracing the family line through centuries of English history.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
beofor
Old English term for the amphibious rodent known as the beaver.
This name
BeaverAn occupational name for a hunter or trapper of beavers or a nickname for someone with beaver-like traits.
also spelled
Beever
Bever
Beevor
Related arms
Beevorvariant spelling
Bevervariant spelling
Beversvariant 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
York City Archives, York Freemen’s Register, 1272–1759
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
cinquefoilHope and joy
chevronProtection, and faithful service completed
cinquefoilHope and joy
