A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Becket family lines. Documented in 2 countries.
Reg. 6452 · English, A–C
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
cross symbolChristian faith and service
fessThe military belt, and readiness to serve
bearStrength, cunning and protection of kin
Colours
Black (Sable)Means: Constancy
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)
“Sa. a semée of crosses crosslet fitchée or, a fesse betw. three bears' heads couped of the second”
CornwallCartuther · Cornwall, c. 1620
Where the Becket Arms Were Recorded
Cornwall
Map of England showing where the Becket arms are recorded
The Becket arms were recorded in Cornwall, c. 1620.
Cornwall was a county apart, with its own language and its own tight-knit gentry. Tin and the sea made money there, and families who made it bought land, which is what 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 Becket 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 Cornwall.
Origin & History of the Becket Family in England
The surname Becket finds its roots in the Old English and Old Norse languages, where it likely originated as a topographic name for someone who lived near a small stream or brook. By the time the name appeared in the historical records of Cornwall in 1620, the family had already established deep ties to the local landscape. During this era, families in the southwest of England were often deeply connected to the agricultural and mining industries that defined the region. While the name is famously associated with the medieval Archbishop Thomas Becket, the families living in Cornwall during the seventeenth century were typically part of the working gentry or yeomanry. These individuals helped shape the social fabric of their parishes through local governance and trade. Their presence in the records of the early seventeenth century shows a family that had successfully integrated into the community life of rural England long before the modern era.
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
chevronProtection, and faithful service completed
lionCourage, strength and royalty
Colours
Gold (Or)Means: Generosity
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)
“Per chev. or and gu. three lions' heads erased counterchanged”
Irelandc. 1645
Where the Becket Arms Were Recorded
Dublin
Map of Ireland showing where the Becket arms are recorded
The Becket arms were recorded in Ireland, c. 1645.
Arms such as these were typically recorded in Dublin.
Dublin was the seat of government in Ireland and the place where grants were sought and recorded. Families with business at the castle or the courts settled nearby, and settling there put their arms on record.
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 Ireland in this period.
Charles I of England
Sovereign of the period
Charles I of England
1625–1649
Reigning in England when the Becket arms are first recorded.
How Arms Worked in Ireland
The Ulster King of Arms granted coats of arms to individuals who proved their social standing and good character. These symbols were typically inherited by all legitimate descendants of the original holder. If a family branch wanted a unique look, they could apply for a specific change to their design through the office to ensure their identity remained distinct.
Granting authority
The Ulster King of Arms acted as the official body that regulated and issued all coats of arms throughout Ireland.
How they got arms
Families obtained their arms through formal grants issued by the office after proving their eligibility and paying the required fees.
Where arms were recorded
All official grants were recorded in the registers held by the Ulster King of Arms starting from the year 1552.
The family's standing
Recorded among the armigerous families of Ireland.
Origin & History of the Becket Family in Ireland
The history of the Becket name in Ireland is deeply connected to the shifting political landscape of the seventeenth century. While the name has roots in older traditions, records confirm that members of the family were firmly established in Dublin by 1645. During this period, Dublin served as a central hub for trade and administration, attracting families who sought to participate in the growing urban economy. The Beckets likely integrated into the city’s merchant class, navigating the complex social changes that defined the mid-1600s. As the family settled into their new surroundings, they became part of the diverse cultural fabric of the capital, contributing to the local community during a time of significant historical transition. Their presence in the city archives from this era highlights their role as early residents who helped shape the development of Dublin.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
bece
Old English term for a stream or a brook.
This name
BecketA topographical name for someone who lived near a small stream or brook.
also spelled
Bekett
Related arms
Clarkesame arms
Becquetvariant spelling
Bekettvariant spelling
Documented Sources
Sir Bernard Burke, The General Armory of England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales, London: Harrison & Sons, 1884
Reaney, P.H., A Dictionary of English Surnames, 1958
Cornwall Archives, Parish Registers of Cornwall, 1620
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
cross symbolChristian faith and service
fessThe military belt, and readiness to serve
bearStrength, cunning and protection of kin
cross symbolChristian faith and service
fessThe military belt, and readiness to serve
bearStrength, cunning and protection of kin
chevronProtection, and faithful service completed
lionCourage, strength and royalty
