A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Bellingham family lines. Documented in 3 countries.
Reg. 4264 · Britain, A–C
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
hunting horn stringedOne who delights in the chase
Colours
Black (Sable)Means: Constancy
Silver (Argent)Means: Peace and sincerity
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 trois cors-de-chasse d'arg., liés d'or. C.: une tête de cerf de sa., ramée d'or, le col ch. d'une fleur-de-lis du même.”
Britainc. 1666
Where the Bellingham Arms Were Recorded
Kent
Map of Britain showing where the Bellingham arms are recorded
The Bellingham arms were recorded in Britain, c. 1666.
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.
Charles II of England
Sovereign of the period
Charles II of England
1660–1685
Reigning in Britain when the Bellingham 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 Bellingham Family in Britain
The surname Bellingham originates from a place name in Northumberland, derived from the Old English words for a settlement belonging to the followers of a man named Billa. While the family name first appeared in the north of England, members of the family eventually migrated south and established roots in Kent by the mid-seventeenth century. By 1666, the family was well-integrated into the local life of Kent, a period marked by significant social and political change in Britain. During this era, families often moved across the country to seek new opportunities in agriculture or trade as the national economy shifted. The presence of the Bellingham name in Kent during this time reflects the broader movement of families away from their ancestral northern origins toward the growing influence of the southern counties.
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
hunting horn stringedOne who delights in the chase
Colours
Silver (Argent)Means: Peace and sincerity
Black (Sable)Means: Constancy
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. three buglehorns sa. stringed and garnished or”
NorthumberlandNorthumberland, c. 1620
Where the Bellingham Arms Were Recorded
Northumberland
Map of England showing where the Bellingham arms are recorded
The Bellingham arms were recorded in Northumberland, c. 1620.
Northumberland was border country facing Scotland, raided and fought over for three hundred years. Families held their land in return for defending it, and a defending household carried a shield.
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 Bellingham 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 Northumberland.
Origin & History of the Bellingham Family in England
The Bellingham family name originates from the historic market town of Bellingham in Northumberland, located near the Scottish border. The name is derived from the Old English words for a settlement belonging to the followers of a man named Bynna. By the early seventeenth century, the family had firmly established itself within this rugged northern landscape. This region was known for its turbulent history and the presence of border reivers, which required families to be resilient and well-connected to their local lands. Records from 1620 confirm that the Bellinghams were active participants in the social and economic life of Northumberland during this period. Their presence in the north of England reflects a long-standing connection to the border country, where they lived as landowners and local figures during a time of significant transition for the English monarchy and regional governance.
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
hunting horn stringedOne who delights in the chase
Colours
Black (Sable)Means: Constancy
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)
“Sa. three buglehorns ar. stringed or”
Irelandc. 1645
Where the Bellingham Arms Were Recorded
Dublin
Map of Ireland showing where the Bellingham arms are recorded
The Bellingham arms were recorded in Ireland, c. 1645.
Arms such as these were typically recorded in Dublin.
Dublin was the seat of government in Ireland and the place where grants were sought and recorded. Families with business at the castle or the courts settled nearby, and settling there put their arms on record.
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 Ireland in this period.
Charles I of England
Sovereign of the period
Charles I of England
1625–1649
Reigning in Britain when the Bellingham arms are first recorded.
How Arms Worked in Ireland
The Ulster King of Arms granted coats of arms to individuals who proved their social standing and good character. These symbols were typically inherited by all legitimate descendants of the original holder. If a family branch wanted a unique look, they could apply for a specific change to their design through the office to ensure their identity remained distinct.
Granting authority
The Ulster King of Arms acted as the official body that regulated and issued all coats of arms throughout Ireland.
How they got arms
Families obtained their arms through formal grants issued by the office after proving their eligibility and paying the required fees.
Where arms were recorded
All official grants were recorded in the registers held by the Ulster King of Arms starting from the year 1552.
The family's standing
Recorded among the armigerous families of Ireland.
Origin & History of the Bellingham Family in Ireland
The Bellingham family established a significant presence in Ireland during the mid-seventeenth century, most notably with the arrival of Sir Daniel Bellingham in Dublin around 1645. Originally of English origin, the family quickly integrated into the administrative and social life of the Irish capital. Sir Daniel Bellingham rose to prominence as a successful merchant and eventually served as the first Lord Mayor of Dublin in 1665. This position allowed the family to secure large land grants, particularly in County Louth, where they became influential landowners. By settling in these areas, the Bellinghams transitioned from city-based business leaders to members of the landed gentry. Their early history in Ireland is defined by this rapid ascent into the political and economic elite of the seventeenth century.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Bellinga
The people or followers of a man named Billa.
This name
BellinghamA settlement or homestead belonging to the followers of Billa.
also spelled
Belingham
Belyngham
Related arms
Burnshed, or Burnishidesimilar arms
Bellrecorded with Bellingham, same area
Brownerecorded with Bellingham, same area
Caldwellrecorded with Bellingham, same area
Documented Sources
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Ekwall, Eilert, The Concise Oxford Dictionary of English Place-names, 1960
Reaney, P.H., A Dictionary of British Surnames, 1958
The National Archives, Hearth Tax Returns for Kent, 1664-1674
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hunting horn stringedOne who delights in the chase
hunting horn stringedOne who delights in the chase
