A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Bench family of England.
Reg. 5118 · English, A–C
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
chevronProtection, and faithful service completed
mulletThe third son, and a divine quality from above
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. a chev. betw. three mullets sa”
LancasterLancaster, c. 1620
Where the Bench Arms Were Recorded
Lancaster
Map of England showing where the Bench arms are recorded
The Bench arms were recorded in Lancaster, c. 1620.
Lancashire was divided among a great many small landed families, more than most northern counties. Estates were passed down whole rather than split up, so the same names hold the same ground for centuries in the records.
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 Bench 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 Lancaster.
Origin & History of the Bench Family in England
The surname Bench is an occupational name that likely originated in England during the Middle Ages. It was traditionally given to individuals who worked as a benchman, which was a person responsible for crafting furniture or serving as a legal clerk at a courthouse bench. By the year 1620, records confirm that members of the Bench family were well-established in the region of Lancaster. During this period, families in Lancaster were often involved in the local wool trade or agricultural labor, which provided a stable foundation for the growth of the community. As the family settled into this area, the name became a permanent fixture in local parish registers and legal documents. These early ancestors helped shape the social fabric of Lancaster through their participation in daily trade and civic life.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
benc
Old English term referring to a raised seat or bench.
This name
BenchA topographic name for someone who lived near a prominent bench or a seat of authority.
also spelled
Benge
Bensh
Related arms
Bengevariant spelling
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
Lancashire Archives, Lancaster St Mary Parish Registers, 1620
Reaney, P.H., A Dictionary of British Surnames, 1958
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
mulletThe third son, and a divine quality from above
chevronProtection, and faithful service completed
mulletThe third son, and a divine quality from above
