A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Beesley family of England.
Reg. 4630 · English, A–C
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
chiefAuthority, wisdom and dominion
roundelA coin, and one who has been to the crusades
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. three torteaux and a chief gu”
Englandc. 1620
Where the Beesley Arms Were Recorded
York
Map of England showing where the Beesley arms are recorded
The Beesley arms were recorded in England, c. 1620.
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.
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 Beesley 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 Beesley Family in England
The surname Beesley is a locative name, meaning it originally identified people based on the place where they lived. It is derived from the Old English words "beos," which refers to bent grass or reeds, and "leah," which describes a clearing or a meadow. Therefore, the name likely identified families who lived near a grassy clearing or a pasture. By the early 17th century, the family had established a notable presence in the historic city of York. Records from 1620 confirm that members of the Beesley family were active in this region, likely participating in the local trade and civic life that defined the city during that era. As the family grew, they moved through different parts of Northern England, carrying their name as a reflection of the rural landscapes that defined their ancestral origins.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
besen and leah
Old English for bent grass and a woodland clearing.
This name
BeesleyA dweller in a clearing where bent grass grows.
also spelled
Beasley
Beisley
Beseley
Related arms
Beasleyvariant spelling
Beseleyvariant spelling
Documented Sources
Sir Bernard Burke, The General Armory of England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales, London: Harrison & Sons, 1884
Bardsley, Charles Wareing, A Dictionary of English and Welsh Surnames, 1901
Reaney, P.H., A Dictionary of British Surnames, 1958
Borthwick Institute for Archives, York Diocesan Probate Records, 1620
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
chiefAuthority, wisdom and dominion
roundelA coin, and one who has been to the crusades
chiefAuthority, wisdom and dominion
roundelA coin, and one who has been to the crusades
