A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Bele family of England.
Reg. 9635 · English, A–C
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
chevronProtection, and faithful service completed
chiefAuthority, wisdom and dominion
lanceKnightly service and the tilt
Colours
Silver (Argent)Means: Peace and sincerity
Red (Gules)Means: Military strength
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 chev. gu. betw. three spear heads sa. the dexter and sinister inclining to the middle chief point”
Englandc. 1620
Where the Bele Arms Were Recorded
York
Map of England showing where the Bele arms are recorded
The Bele 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 Bele 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 Bele Family in England
The family name Bele has deep roots in the historic city of York, where records confirm members of the family were established by the year 1620. During the early seventeenth century, York was a bustling center of trade and religious activity, and families like the Beles often played active roles in the local community as merchants, craftsmen, or members of the parish. The name itself likely evolved from older linguistic roots, potentially serving as a descriptive nickname or a shortened form of a longer given name common in Northern England. As these early ancestors lived through the turbulent years of the Stuart period, they contributed to the social fabric of the city, leaving behind traces in local parish registers and legal documents. By settling in such a prominent urban hub, the Bele family was positioned to participate in the significant cultural and economic shifts that defined life in Northern England during the early modern era.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Bellus
Latin term meaning beautiful, handsome, or fair.
This name
BeleA nickname for a handsome or fair-complexioned individual.
also spelled
Bell
Beel
Related arms
Bellvariant spelling
Documented Sources
Sir Bernard Burke, The General Armory of England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales, London: Harrison & Sons, 1884
Borthwick Institute for Archives, York Diocesan Archive: Parish Registers of St. Martin-le-Grand, Coney Street, York
Collins, Francis, Register of the Freemen of the City of York, 1897
Yates, Nigel, The Religious Life of York, 1500–1700, 2003
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
chiefAuthority, wisdom and dominion
lanceKnightly service and the tilt
chevronProtection, and faithful service completed
chiefAuthority, wisdom and dominion
lanceKnightly service and the tilt
