Map of England showing where the Belew arms are recorded
The Belew arms were recorded in Lancashire, c. 1620.
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 Belew 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 Lancashire.
Origin & History of the Belew Family in England
The family name Belew is rooted in the historic county of Lancashire, where records confirm members of the family were established by the year 1620. The name likely evolved from an Old French term meaning beautiful or fair, which was often used as a descriptive nickname for an ancestor before it became a permanent surname. During the early seventeenth century, families in this region were often tied to the land through farming or local trade, contributing to the growth of rural communities in Northern England. As the name spread, it began to appear in parish registers and local legal documents, reflecting the family's integration into the social fabric of the area. This period was a time of significant transition in England, and the Belew family was part of the common population that helped shape the local history of Lancashire through their daily work and community involvement.
Belew Meaning & Related Branches
Root word
Bel
Derived from the Old French adjective meaning beautiful or fair.
This name
BelewA locational or descriptive surname likely referring to a handsome person or a beautiful place.
also spelled
Belue
Related arms
Badford, or Badishfordsame arms
Bellowessame arms
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
Lancashire Archives, Bishop's Transcripts of Parish Registers, 1620
Reaney, P.H., A Dictionary of British Surnames, 1958
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
lionCourage, strength and royalty
chevronProtection, and faithful service completed
lionCourage, strength and royalty
