A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Beche family of England.
Sir Bernard Burke, The General Armory of England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales, London: Harrison & Sons, 1884
Blazon (the actual original written record)“Vaire ar. and gu”
The Beche arms were recorded in England, c. 1342.
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.
Reigning in England when the Beche arms are first recorded.
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.
The surname Beche carries a deep connection to the medieval city of York, where records confirm family members were established as early as 1342. During this period, the name was often associated with individuals who lived near a stream or a small valley, as the term itself is derived from the Old English word for a beech tree or a brook. By settling in a major trade hub like York, the early Beche family likely participated in the vibrant urban life of the fourteenth century, perhaps working as merchants or skilled craftspeople who supported the city’s growing economy. These early ancestors were part of a society transitioning through significant social changes, including the aftermath of the Great Famine and the onset of the Black Death, which reshaped the lives of common families across England. Their presence in official city documents suggests they were recognized members of the local community who played a role in the daily administration and labor that defined medieval York.
Old English term for a stream or a brook.
