Map of England showing where the Beazley arms are recorded
The Beazley arms were recorded in Hertford, c. 1620.
Hertfordshire lay just north of London and filled with families who had made money in the City. Buying an estate within a day's ride was the usual next step, and an estate brought arms with it.
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 Beazley 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 Hertford.
Origin & History of the Beazley Family in England
The surname Beazley is a locative name, meaning it likely originated from a specific place or landscape feature. Etymologists believe the name is derived from the Old English words "beos," meaning bent grass, and "leah," meaning a clearing or meadow. This suggests that the earliest ancestors bearing this name lived near a grassy clearing. By 1620, records confirm that members of the Beazley family were well-established in the town of Hertford. During this period, families often lived in the same region for generations, working in local trades or agriculture. As the name spread through England, it evolved into various spellings, but the core identity remained tied to these early rural roots in the English countryside.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Bees-leah
Old English for a clearing where bees are kept.
This name
BeazleyA habitational name referring to someone who lived near a bee meadow or clearing.
also spelled
Bazeley
Basley
Baisley
Documented Sources
Sir Bernard Burke, The General Armory of England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales, London: Harrison & Sons, 1884
Reaney, P.H. and Wilson, R.M., A Dictionary of English Surnames, 1997
Hertfordshire Archives and Local Studies, Hertford St Andrew 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.
paleMilitary strength, and a fortified defence
beeIndustry, order and tireless work
fleur de lisPurity, light, and the sixth son
paleMilitary strength, and a fortified defence
beeIndustry, order and tireless work
fleur de lisPurity, light, and the sixth son
