A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Bebb family of England.
Reg. 0861 · English, A–C
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
fessThe military belt, and readiness to serve
cross symbolChristian faith and service
cantonA mark of honour granted by the sovereign
crescentHonour by the sovereign, and the second son
fleur de lisPurity, light, and the sixth son
Colours
Blue (Azure)Means: Loyalty and truth
Gold (Or)Means: Generosity
ErmineMeans: Dignity
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)
“Quarterly, 1st and 4th, az. on a fess embattled or, betw. three crescents ar. two cross crosslets gu. a canton erm. for diff., for Bebb; 2nd and 3rd, az. two bars betw. two fleurs-de-lis in chief, and a crescent in base or, a crescent for diff., for Lawrell”
BerksHoratio Bebb · Berks, c. 1850
Where the Bebb Arms Were Recorded
Berks
Map of England showing where the Bebb arms are recorded
The Bebb arms were recorded in Berks, c. 1850.
Berkshire sat on the road west from London with the royal castle at Windsor in the middle of it. Court families bought estates within reach, and an estate near the court almost always came with a coat of 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.
Victoria
Sovereign of the period
Victoria
1837–1901
Reigning in England when the Bebb 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 Berks.
Origin & History of the Bebb Family in England
The surname Bebb is primarily associated with Welsh origins, where it likely developed as a patronymic name derived from the personal name Bebba. While the name has deep roots in the border regions between England and Wales, families bearing this name eventually spread across various territories during the nineteenth century. By 1850, records confirm that members of the Bebb family were well-established in the county of Berks, England. During this period, the family participated in the typical labor and social structures of the time, contributing to the local economy and community life. Their presence in Berks reflects the broader migration patterns of the era, as families moved to find new opportunities in growing industrial and agricultural centers.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Ap-Ebb
A Welsh patronymic prefix meaning son of Ebb.
This name
BebbA surname derived from the Welsh personal name Ebb, meaning son of Ebb.
also spelled
Bebe
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, 1991
The National Archives, Kew, 1851 Census Returns, HO 107
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
fessThe military belt, and readiness to serve
cross symbolChristian faith and service
cantonA mark of honour granted by the sovereign
crescentHonour by the sovereign, and the second son
fleur de lisPurity, light, and the sixth son
fessThe military belt, and readiness to serve
cross symbolChristian faith and service
cantonA mark of honour granted by the sovereign
crescentHonour by the sovereign, and the second son
fleur de lisPurity, light, and the sixth son
