A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Beeston family of England.
Reg. 9464 · English, A–C
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
bendDefence, and the scarf of a commander
beeIndustry, order and tireless work
Colours
Silver (Argent)Means: Peace and sincerity
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)
“Ar. a bend betw. six bees sa”
ChesterBeeston Castle · Chester, c. 1620
Where the Beeston Arms Were Recorded
Chester
Map of England showing where the Beeston arms are recorded
The Beeston arms were recorded in Chester, c. 1620.
Cheshire was governed apart from the rest of England for much of its history, with its own courts and its own gentry. That separateness bred a strong local landed class, and landed families 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 Beeston 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 Chester.
Origin & History of the Beeston Family in England
The surname Beeston is a locative name, meaning it originated from people who lived in or near a place called Beeston. The name itself comes from the Old English words "beo," meaning bee, and "tun," meaning an enclosed settlement or village. This suggests that the earliest ancestors likely lived in a place known for beekeeping or a location where bees were common. By the early 17th century, the family had established a notable presence in the city of Chester. Records confirm that members of the Beeston family were living and working in this historic walled city by 1620. During this period, Chester served as a vital hub for trade and administration in the northwest of England, and the family would have been part of the growing urban community that defined the region at the time.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Beos-tun
Old English for bent grass or creeping grass and an enclosure.
This name
BeestonA habitational name referring to a settlement located near a field of bent grass.
also spelled
Beiston
Beestonne
Related arms
Beistonvariant spelling
Documented Sources
Sir Bernard Burke, The General Armory of England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales, London: Harrison & Sons, 1884
Ekwall, Eilert, The Concise Oxford Dictionary of English Place-names, 1960
Reaney, P.H., A Dictionary of British Surnames, 1958
Cheshire Archives and Local Studies, Bishop's Transcripts of Chester Parish 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.
bendDefence, and the scarf of a commander
beeIndustry, order and tireless work
bendDefence, and the scarf of a commander
beeIndustry, order and tireless work
