A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Beecher family of England.
Reg. 2518 · English, A–C
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
cantonA mark of honour granted by the sovereign
stagPeace and harmony, and one who will not fight unprovoked
Colours
Gold (Or)Means: Generosity
Black (Sable)Means: Constancy
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)
“Vaire ar. and gu. on a canton or, a stag's head cabossed sa”
EnglandLondon, c. 1568
Where the Beecher Arms Were Recorded
London
Map of England showing where the Beecher arms are recorded
The Beecher arms were recorded in London, c. 1568.
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.
Elizabeth I of England
Sovereign of the period
Elizabeth I of England
1558–1603
Reigning in England when the Beecher 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 England.
Origin & History of the Beecher Family in England
The surname Beecher is rooted in the landscape of medieval England, likely originating as a topographic name for someone who lived near a prominent beech tree or a forest of beech woods. By the year 1568, the family was firmly established in London, where they began to integrate into the city’s growing merchant and professional classes. During this period, London was a bustling center of trade and social change, providing the Beecher family with opportunities to build influence and stability. As the name spread throughout the region, it became associated with families who were active in civic life and local commerce. This early presence in the capital helped the name endure through centuries of social development, eventually leading to its expansion across the British Isles and beyond.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
bece
Old English term for a beech tree.
This name
BeecherA dweller by a beech tree or a person living near a beech wood.
also spelled
Beechar
Bechar
Related arms
Beachervariant 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
Bardsley, Charles Wareing, A Dictionary of English and Welsh Surnames, 1901
The National Archives, Prerogative Court of Canterbury and related Probate Jurisdictions: Will Registers, 1568
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
stagPeace and harmony, and one who will not fight unprovoked
cantonA mark of honour granted by the sovereign
stagPeace and harmony, and one who will not fight unprovoked
