A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Bellas family of England.
Reg. 2150 · English, A–C
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
chevronProtection, and faithful service completed
fleur de lisPurity, light, and the sixth son
eagleNobility, strength and a keen mind
Colours
Silver (Argent)Means: Peace and sincerity
Red (Gules)Means: Military strength
Blue (Azure)Means: Loyalty and truth
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)
“Ar. a chev. gu. betw. two fleurs-de-lis in chief and an eagle displ. in base az”
Englandc. 1620
Where the Bellas Arms Were Recorded
York
Map of England showing where the Bellas arms are recorded
The Bellas arms were recorded in England, 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 Bellas 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 Bellas Family in England
The surname Bellas has deep roots in northern England, with historical records confirming that family members were established in the city of York by the year 1620. The name is generally considered to be locational or topographical in origin, likely derived from the Old French word "bel," meaning beautiful, combined with a suffix indicating a specific place or a person who lived near a pleasant site. During the early 17th century, York was a bustling center of trade and religious life, and families like the Bellas were often involved in the local merchant guilds or the agricultural life of the surrounding Yorkshire countryside. As the family grew, they became part of the social fabric of the North, contributing to the local economy and community development for generations. By settling in such a prominent historical hub, the early Bellas family secured a place in the regional records that allows us to trace their presence back to the early Stuart period.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Bellus
Latin term meaning beautiful, handsome, or fair.
This name
BellasA topographical or descriptive surname denoting someone who lived near a beautiful place or was considered handsome.
also spelled
Bellasis
Bellasyse
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
Hey, David, The Oxford Guide to Family History, 2002
Borthwick Institute for Archives, York Diocesan Probate Records
The National Archives, State Papers Domestic, James I
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
fleur de lisPurity, light, and the sixth son
eagleNobility, strength and a keen mind
chevronProtection, and faithful service completed
fleur de lisPurity, light, and the sixth son
eagleNobility, strength and a keen mind
