A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Beckwith family of England.
Reg. 5227 · English, A–C
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
chevronProtection, and faithful service completed
stagPeace and harmony, and one who will not fight unprovoked
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. a chev. betw. three hinds' heads erased gu”
DurhamAldborough · Durham, c. 1620
Where the Beckwith Arms Were Recorded
Durham
Map of England showing where the Beckwith arms are recorded
The Beckwith arms were recorded in Durham, c. 1620.
Durham was governed by its bishop rather than the crown for most of its history, with its own courts and its own landed class. That separate world produced a tight group of families, nearly all of whom held 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.
James VI and I
Sovereign of the period
James VI and I
1603–1625
Reigning in England when the Beckwith 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 Durham.
Origin & History of the Beckwith Family in England
The family name Beckwith is of locational origin, derived from a place in the North Riding of Yorkshire. The name combines the Old Norse word "bekkr," meaning a brook or stream, with the Old English word "wudu," meaning a wood. This suggests that the earliest members of the family lived near a wooded area located along a stream. By the early 17th century, the family had established a significant presence in the county of Durham. Records from 1620 confirm that members of the Beckwith family were active in this region, where they were often involved in local land management and community affairs. Over time, the family expanded from their northern roots, eventually spreading across England and into other parts of the world.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
bekkr and vior
Old Norse for a stream or brook and a wood or forest.
This name
BeckwithA habitational name referring to someone living by a stream in a wooded area.
also spelled
Bekwith
Bekwithe
Related arms
Bealesimilar arms
Carysimilar arms
Coreysimilar arms
Correysimilar arms
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
Durham County Record Office, Durham Bishopric Estates Records, 1620
Smith, A.H., The Place-Names of the North Riding of Yorkshire, 1928
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
chevronProtection, and faithful service completed
stagPeace and harmony, and one who will not fight unprovoked
chevronProtection, and faithful service completed
stagPeace and harmony, and one who will not fight unprovoked
