A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Belke family of England.
Reg. 2277 · English, A–C
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
chevronProtection, and faithful service completed
lionCourage, strength and royalty
Colours
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)
“Gu. a chev. betw. three leopards' faces ar”
EnglandCopesham Sole, c. 1620
Where the Belke Arms Were Recorded
York
Map of England showing where the Belke arms are recorded
The Belke arms were recorded in Copesham Sole, 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 Belke 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 Belke Family in England
The surname Belke carries a history deeply rooted in the social landscape of seventeenth-century England. By the year 1620, records confirm that members of the family were well-established residents of York, a city that served as a major northern hub for trade and administration. During this era, families with this name were often integrated into the local merchant and artisan classes, reflecting the growth of urban life in the north of England. The name itself likely evolved from regional dialects or descriptive nicknames common to the period, marking the family as part of the steady migration and settlement patterns that defined the Yorkshire region. As the family navigated the political and religious shifts of the early Stuart period, their presence in York suggests they were active participants in the civic and economic development of one of England’s most historic cities.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Bel
A Germanic or Old French term meaning beautiful or fair.
This name
BelkeA topographical or descriptive name referring to a person who is handsome or fair.
also spelled
Belkyn
Documented Sources
Sir Bernard Burke, The General Armory of England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales, London: Harrison & Sons, 1884
Baines, Edward. History, Directory and Gazetteer of the County of York. 1822
The National Archives. Probate Records of the Prerogative Court of Canterbury, PROB 11
York City Archives. York City Chamberlains' Account Rolls, E 21
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
