A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Belfield family of England.
Reg. 5162 · English, A–C
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
chiefAuthority, wisdom and dominion
labelThe eldest son, during his father's life
mulletThe third son, and a divine quality from above
Colours
ErmineMeans: Dignity
Red (Gules)Means: Military strength
Silver (Argent)Means: Peace and sincerity
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)
“Erm. a mullet gu. on a chief of the last a label of five points ar”
HertfordLondon · Hertford, c. 1620
Where the Belfield Arms Were Recorded
Hertford
Map of England showing where the Belfield arms are recorded
The Belfield arms were recorded in Hertford, c. 1620.
Hertfordshire lay just north of London and filled with families who had made money in the City. Buying an estate within a day's ride was the usual next step, and an estate brought arms with it.
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 Belfield 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 Hertford.
Origin & History of the Belfield Family in England
The surname Belfield is a locative name, meaning it was originally taken from a specific place rather than a trade or a personal characteristic. The name is derived from the Old French words "bel," meaning beautiful, and "field," referring to a stretch of open land. It likely described a family that lived near a particularly pleasant or productive meadow. By 1620, records confirm that members of the Belfield family were well-established in the town of Hertford, England. During this period, the family was integrated into the local community, likely participating in the agricultural and merchant activities that defined the region. As the family grew, they moved beyond their initial roots, but their presence in Hertford remains one of the earliest documented points in their history.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
bel-feld
Old English for beautiful or fair open land.
This name
BelfieldRefers to a person who lived near a beautiful or pleasant field.
also spelled
Belfeild
Belfeld
Related arms
Belfeildvariant spelling
Belfeldvariant spelling
Documented Sources
Sir Bernard Burke, The General Armory of England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales, London: Harrison & Sons, 1884
Reaney, P.H. and Wilson, R.M., A Dictionary of English Surnames, 1991
Hertfordshire Archives and Local Studies, Hertford St Andrew 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.
chiefAuthority, wisdom and dominion
labelThe eldest son, during his father's life
mulletThe third son, and a divine quality from above
chiefAuthority, wisdom and dominion
labelThe eldest son, during his father's life
mulletThe third son, and a divine quality from above
