Map of England showing where the Beeson arms are recorded
The Beeson 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 Beeson 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 Beeson Family in England
The surname Beeson is primarily rooted in the northern regions of England, with historical records confirming that members of the family were well-established in the city of York by the early 17th century. The name is generally classified as a patronymic, meaning it was originally derived from the given name of a father or ancestor. In this case, it likely evolved from a variation of the name Elias or a nickname based on the word "bee," which may have been used to describe a person known for being industrious or busy. During the 1600s, families in York often lived in tight-knit communities near the city walls or the Minster, where they worked as tradespeople or merchants. As the family grew, members began to move throughout the surrounding counties, eventually carrying the name across the Atlantic as part of the early migrations to the American colonies.
Beeson Meaning & Related Branches
Root word
Bisi
An Old English personal name derived from the word for busy.
This name
BeesonA patronymic surname meaning son of Bisi, denoting a descendant of a busy person.
also spelled
Bewsun
Bewssone
Bewsen
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
York City Archives, York Freemen’s Register, 1620
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
goats headWisdom, and one who wins by policy rather than force
escallopThe pilgrim's shell, and a long journey made
chevronProtection, and faithful service completed
goats headWisdom, and one who wins by policy rather than force
escallopThe pilgrim's shell, and a long journey made
