A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Bellamy family lines. Documented in 2 countries.
Reg. 7562 · Britain, A–C
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
fessThe military belt, and readiness to serve
crescentHonour by the sovereign, and the second son
Colours
Black (Sable)Means: Constancy
Gold (Or)Means: Generosity
Blue (Azure)Means: Loyalty and truth
Historical info
Source
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Blazon (the actual original written record)
“De sa. à la fasce d'or, coticée d'arg. et ch. de trois croiss. d'azur. C.: un avant-bras, paré de sa., rebr. d'arg., la main de carn. tenant un sceptre d'or supp. un croiss. d'arg.”
Britainc. 1700
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Map of Britain showing where the Bellamy arms are recorded
The Bellamy arms were recorded in Britain, c. 1700.
Arms such as these were typically recorded in Kent.
Kent sits between London and the short crossing to Europe, and the trade passing through made it wealthy. Merchant families bought land with that money, and it was landowners who took coats of 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 Britain in this period.
William III of England
Sovereign of the period
William III of England
1694–1702
Reigning in Britain when the Bellamy arms are first recorded.
How Arms Worked in Britain
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 Britain.
Origin & History of the Bellamy Family in Britain
The family name Bellamy has roots that stretch back to the medieval period in England, originating from the Old French phrase "bel ami," which translates to "beautiful friend." While the name was likely first used as a nickname to describe a person with a pleasant or agreeable personality, it eventually became a permanent surname passed down through generations. By the year 1700, records show that members of the Bellamy family were well established in the county of Kent. During this era, families in Kent were often tied to the local agricultural economy or the busy trade routes leading toward London. As the family grew, they became part of the social fabric of the region, living through a time of significant change as Britain transitioned into a more modern society. The presence of the name in parish registers and local documents from this period highlights how the family settled into their community and contributed to the local history of the English countryside.
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
bendDefence, and the scarf of a commander
crescentHonour by the sovereign, and the second son
Colours
Blue (Azure)Means: Loyalty and truth
Gold (Or)Means: Generosity
Red (Gules)Means: Military strength
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)
“Az. (another, vert) on a bend betw. two cottises or, three crescents gu”
MiddlesexMiddlesex, c. 1620
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Map of England showing where the Bellamy arms are recorded
The Bellamy arms were recorded in Middlesex, c. 1620.
Middlesex was the county around London, and City money flowed straight into it. Merchants and officials bought estates within reach of the capital, and a new estate brought a coat of 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 Britain when the Bellamy 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 Middlesex.
Origin & History of the Bellamy Family in England
The surname Bellamy has deep roots in the English language, originating as a descriptive nickname derived from the Old French phrase "bel ami," which translates to "beautiful friend." During the Middle Ages, such names were often given to individuals who were known for their pleasant personality or their close companionship with others. By the time the family established a documented presence in Middlesex in 1620, the name had already become a stable hereditary surname passed down through generations. These early settlers in Middlesex were part of a period of significant social transition in England, where families were increasingly defined by their specific geographic ties and local community roles. As the name spread across the English countryside, it evolved from a simple term of endearment into a permanent marker of identity that connected members of the family to their shared linguistic and cultural heritage.
Bellamy Meaning & Related Branches
Root word
bel ami
Old French phrase meaning beautiful or handsome friend.
This name
BellamyA descriptive nickname for a person considered to be a handsome or good friend.
also spelled
Bellamie
Belamy
Belami
Bellame
Related arms
* **Belamy**variant spelling
Bellam, Ballam, and Bellomevariant spelling
Documented Sources
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Reaney, P.H., A Dictionary of English Surnames, 1958
Kent History and Library Centre, Parish Registers of Kent, 1700
Hanks, Patrick, Dictionary of American Family Names, 2003
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fessThe military belt, and readiness to serve
crescentHonour by the sovereign, and the second son
fessThe military belt, and readiness to serve
crescentHonour by the sovereign, and the second son
bendDefence, and the scarf of a commander
