A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Benge family of England.
Reg. 6836 · English, A–C
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
cantonA mark of honour granted by the sovereign
mulletThe third son, and a divine quality from above
swordJustice, and military honour
Colours
Gold (Or)Means: Generosity
Red (Gules)Means: Military strength
Blue (Azure)Means: Loyalty and truth
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)
“Or, three mullets az. on a canton gu. a dagger in pale ar. hilted of the first”
Englandc. 1620
Where the Benge Arms Were Recorded
York
Map of England showing where the Benge arms are recorded
The Benge 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 Benge 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 Benge Family in England
The surname Benge is believed to have originated in England as a topographic name, likely describing someone who lived near a specific bend in a river or a curved piece of land. By the early 17th century, the family had established a notable presence in the historic city of York. Records confirm that members of the Benge family were living in this region by 1620, a time when York served as a major center for trade and religious life in Northern England. During this period, families with this name were often involved in local crafts and merchant guilds, which helped them integrate into the growing urban economy. As the family expanded, they moved through various English counties, eventually carrying the name across the Atlantic to the American colonies. This migration path reflects the broader patterns of English families seeking new opportunities while maintaining the linguistic roots of their ancestral name.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Benedictus
Latin for blessed or well spoken of.
This name
BengeA locational surname derived from a place in Kent or a shortened form of Benedict.
also spelled
Bengey
Related arms
Benchvariant 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
Reaney, P.H., A Dictionary of British Surnames, 1958
Borthwick Institute for Archives, York, Archbishop of York Diocesan Records
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.