A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Beckingham family of England.
Reg. 0872 · English, A–C
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
cantonA mark of honour granted by the sovereign
cinquefoilHope and joy
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. two bars gu. on a canton of the second a cinquefoil of the first”
BerkshireBerkshire, c. 1620
Where the Beckingham Arms Were Recorded
Berkshire
Map of England showing where the Beckingham arms are recorded
The Beckingham arms were recorded in Berkshire, c. 1620.
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 Beckingham 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 Berkshire.
Origin & History of the Beckingham Family in England
The surname Beckingham is a locative name, meaning it originated from a specific place rather than a trade or a personal characteristic. It is derived from the Old English words for a stream or a meadow belonging to a person named Becca. By the early 17th century, members of the family were well-established in the county of Berkshire. Records from 1620 confirm their presence in this region, where they likely worked as landowners or farmers within the local parish systems. During this era, families often remained in the same rural areas for generations, helping to shape the local community and economy. As the family grew, their name became permanently linked to the geography of southern England, reflecting a history rooted in the quiet development of English village life.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Becca
Old English personal name meaning dweller or inhabitant
This name
BeckinghamRefers to the homestead or settlement belonging to the followers of Becca
also spelled
Beckyngham
Bekingham
Bekyngham
Related arms
Derwentwatersame arms
Lancastersimilar arms
Prestonsimilar arms
Beckenhamvariant spelling
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, Prerogative Court of Canterbury and related Probate Jurisdictions: Will 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.
cantonA mark of honour granted by the sovereign
cinquefoilHope and joy
cantonA mark of honour granted by the sovereign
cinquefoilHope and joy
