A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Belwood family of England.
Reg. 0100 · English, A–C
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
caltrapA warning to enemies of a well-defended position
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. three galtraps ar”
Englandc. 1620
Where the Belwood Arms Were Recorded
York
Map of England showing where the Belwood arms are recorded
The Belwood 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 Belwood 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 Belwood Family in England
The surname Belwood is a locative name, which means it was originally derived from a specific place where the family resided. The name likely refers to a "beautiful wood," combining the Old French word "bel" with the Old English "wudu." By the year 1620, historical records confirm that members of the Belwood family were established in the city of York. During this period, York was a bustling center of trade and religion in Northern England, and families living there were often involved in local commerce or skilled crafts. Because the name is tied to the landscape, it suggests that the earliest ancestors were likely farmers or foresters who lived near a prominent woodland area before moving into the city. Over time, as the family grew and moved, the name became a permanent way to identify their lineage and their connection to the northern English countryside.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Bel-wudu
Beautiful or fair wood
This name
BelwoodA habitational name referring to someone living near a beautiful forest or woodland area.
also spelled
Belwode
Documented Sources
Sir Bernard Burke, The General Armory of England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales, London: Harrison & Sons, 1884
Bardsley, Charles Wareing, A Dictionary of English and Welsh Surnames, 1901
Reaney, P.H., A Dictionary of British Surnames, 1958
Borthwick Institute for Archives, York Diocesan Probate Records, 1620
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
caltrapA warning to enemies of a well-defended position
caltrapA warning to enemies of a well-defended position
