Map of England showing where the Bellar arms are recorded
The Bellar arms were recorded in Leicestershire, 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 Bellar 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 Leicestershire.
Origin & History of the Bellar Family in England
The surname Bellar has deep roots in the English Midlands, with documented evidence placing the family in the county of Leicestershire as early as 1620. During the seventeenth century, families in this region were often tied to the land through agriculture or local trades, living in small village communities that had remained largely unchanged for generations. The name itself likely evolved from a descriptive term or a nickname used to identify an individual based on their occupation or a personal trait, which was a common practice for naming families before the widespread use of formal surnames. As the family established themselves in Leicestershire, they became part of the local social fabric, participating in parish life and contributing to the development of their rural townships. Over time, the name persisted through these early generations, marking the family as a stable presence in the historical landscape of the English countryside.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Bellus
Latin term meaning beautiful, handsome, or fair.
This name
BellarA descriptive surname for a handsome or beautiful individual.
also spelled
Bellar
Bellor
Documented Sources
Sir Bernard Burke, The General Armory of England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales, London: Harrison & Sons, 1884
Leicestershire Record Office, Bishop’s Transcripts of Parish Registers, 1620
National Archives, Prerogative Court of Canterbury and Related Probate Jurisdictions: Will Registers, 1620
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lionCourage, strength and royalty
lionCourage, strength and royalty
